The Vine
Feb 28, 2009 04:00PM ● By Super Admin
2005 Oakstone
Reserve Barbera
• The 2005 Oakstone Reserve Barbera is quite a find. Since reader feedback asked me to review wines under $15 (so many have been $30+ lately), this Barbera from Oakstone fits the bill nicely! All good wines start in the vineyard; the fruit for this wine comes from the J&J Vineyard, owned by Judy and Joel Sklar – a vineyard on Perry Creek road known for its outstanding fruit. Winemaker John Smith turns that fruit into a very soft and lush Barbera that drinks very well. Barbera can be overly acidic, but John crafts this wine to have a nice round fruitiness and balanced acid, making it a must-have with red sauce pasta! This local wine certainly stands on its own merit, winning a Silver medal at the Orange County Fair, so the price at $14 is just icing on the cake. Speaking of cake – I love to drink Barbera with a slice of chocolate cake, something everyone should try at least once! This Barbera can be found at the winery tasting room in Fair Play or at most local supermarkets.
For more wine reviews from Local Connoisseurs, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email [email protected], or call 916-988-9888.
Reserve Barbera
• The 2005 Oakstone Reserve Barbera is quite a find. Since reader feedback asked me to review wines under $15 (so many have been $30+ lately), this Barbera from Oakstone fits the bill nicely! All good wines start in the vineyard; the fruit for this wine comes from the J&J Vineyard, owned by Judy and Joel Sklar – a vineyard on Perry Creek road known for its outstanding fruit. Winemaker John Smith turns that fruit into a very soft and lush Barbera that drinks very well. Barbera can be overly acidic, but John crafts this wine to have a nice round fruitiness and balanced acid, making it a must-have with red sauce pasta! This local wine certainly stands on its own merit, winning a Silver medal at the Orange County Fair, so the price at $14 is just icing on the cake. Speaking of cake – I love to drink Barbera with a slice of chocolate cake, something everyone should try at least once! This Barbera can be found at the winery tasting room in Fair Play or at most local supermarkets.
— Russell Reyes
Russell is a freelance writer who hosts monthly Dolce Vino Wine University in Cameron Park.
His blog is foothillwinereview.com.
Russell is a freelance writer who hosts monthly Dolce Vino Wine University in Cameron Park.
His blog is foothillwinereview.com.
For more wine reviews from Local Connoisseurs, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email [email protected], or call 916-988-9888.