To me, WineParty is basically SFWC in a box. We've tried out kits in the past that didn't really work as there usually weren't enough blinding sheets (we typically blind 8 to 12 bottles, and WineParty has 24 WineWrappers), didn't have good note pads, and they certainly weren't stylish. I also found it difficult to pour a bottle of wine with a bag wrapped around it - our WineWrappers adhere to the bottle and there are four really festive designs (okay I'm biased).
Our Review of Italian Barberas
Eight members attended the last meeting that featured Italian Barberas. Everyone got one of our WinePassport: Italy as their handout for the evening on arrival with a glass of our starter wine, the new Bootleg Italian Sauvignon Blanc . Our hostess, Tracy, put out some great cheese, dips, and Italian sandwiches and we were set for a great evening. We sipped on one of as we waited for everyone to arrive. Then we jumped into the tasting itself. With our tastings, everyone starts with about 1 to 2 ounce pour of each of the wines, so we can quickly (and soberly) make an assessment of the wine. Once our favorites have been determined, we typically finish off the rest of the wine, typically getting a bit loopy (let's just say in the past, some of our tastings have turned into slumber parties).
This time everyone was behaved and they took great notes on the Tasting Notes provided in WineParty which I summarized below - mactualacutal quotes, but a bit of paraphrasing (as you can tell, some people take better notes than others).
#1 - 2003 Agostino Pavia Barbera d'Asti "Bricco Blina" - $10.99 at K&L (a great wine shop in SF)
GROUP SUMMARY: A clear loser from the get go. However, we had a great selection from which to choose, so on it's own, it would be enjoyable at this price point.
Color / Aroma
- hearty and earthy, "like dirt after a fresh rain"
- cloudy, lots of alcohol on the nose
- bright ruby color
- brownside of red
- smooth balanced smell
Taste
- Tangy and acidic, with subtle tannins
- Orange, acid
- A little harsh, nice nose, metallic, oak
- Hot tangie, slight jam, not too smooth, steel / "like biting metal when getting fillings"
- High acid, raspberry young, subtle jam
- Light, raspberry, tart, earthy, fresh rain, mud, musky
Overall opinion
- good for a pre-dinner wine
- "unique"
- Not super fond of (after breathing, mellowed out a lot though)
- Excellent aperitif, needs fat such as salami / cheese, pizza
- "Sort of like licking a 9-volt battery"(NOTE: Several club members were familiar with this taste from childhood. I'm surprised they made it to adulthood.)
#2 - 2003 Cascina Val del Prete Barbera d' Alba "Serra de Gatti"- $15.99 at K&L
GROUP SUMMARY: A close 2nd to wine #4 (the Ruggeri), and a nice bargain. Same winery as #3, and while the less expensive option, this beat #3 hands down.
Color / Aroma
- dirty, plumy, fresh black fruit
- Clear, deep ruby color
- Acidic fruit
- Cranberry red
Taste
- soft, balanced tannins, with good acidic finish
- Woody, plum, soil
- Tangy, soft with high acid
- Bright, concentrated black jammy fruit, nice acid finish, odd vannillan character, well balanced
- Plum, ML
- Plum, smoother than slight spicy. Weacidicanced with slight acitic end
Overall opinion
- good with pork in a cherry reduction or other fruit
- Smooth and nice
- Smoothest overall
#3 - 2003 Cascina Val del Prete Barbera d'Alba "Carolina"- $33.99 at K&L
GROUP SUMMARY: 3rd favorite - most people guessed this was the most expensive as the jammy, rich wines, tend to be pricier. While favoritethe 8 SFWC members favorited this one above all, most of our group prefer more lively wines and clearly found wine #2 (from the same winery) & #4 more enjoyable.
Color / Aroma:
- rich, cocoa butter and honey aromas with evident wood
- Dark odor, nice nose
- Honeysuckle
- Roasted red pepper, musty
Taste:
- leathery (pigskin), oaky, tannic, wild fennel and cooked green pepper
- Structured tannins, carmeley, well balanced
- Good acidic, light & thin
- Burnt-sugar, fennel, cherry
- Vegetal, pinewood, melon
Overall opinion
- would be good with osso bucco, pork with leeks or braised fennel, stewed lamb, duck with cherries
- "okay, but not very inspired:
- Smooth after about 10 minutes, pretty biting at first - eat with putenesca
- least favorite - appetizers only
#4 - 2003 Ruggeri Corsini Barbera d'Alba "Armujan" - $17.99 at K&L
GROUP SUMMARY: this was the overall winner, with most everyone putting it as their first or second favorite.
Color / Aroma:
- soft nose, leather, fresh stewed artichoke
- lovely nose
- deep ruby color
- very nice cherry smell
- vanilla nose
Taste
- soft wine, with good acids and a nice long finish
- A little hot, spicy, tannins, burnt sugar
- Pineapple, leather, cherry
- Dark berry, smooth
- Balanced, fruit and well structured tannins
- Very fruit forward, more tannic / pucker at end
- Fresh goat cheese, dry tannins
Overall opinion
- would be good with lonzo (cured pork loin), salami or anything salty
- Some tannins, good finish
- Floral finish, bright acid
- Good with salty food, fat, porcinis
- very nice
