Barbera 2017
*** Enter the Description of this product
This was another year where the multiple picks on Barbera not only gave us the freshness we were looking for, but also contributed a copmlexity seldom found in California Barbera. With picks on September 22nd and 30th, as well as October 2nd, this 100% Barbera is layere with unique and interesting characters. And not to forget, the spectacular color too!
From the first whiff of the nose, the dark brooding nature of this wine comes through. Ripe blackberr and home canned cherry essence dominate the aromas while subtle notews of sweet spice, tobacco and that classic slight tarry asphalt nature showcases the variety.
The palate starts out richly textured with lots of cherry and a sweet berry fruit. As one moves into the mid-palate, the characters meld more into traditional cherry/plum with a dash of lively acidity. The finish, however, is where the Barbera screams through. Yourhful yet soft tannins envelope the acidity of the variety, encompassing its brashness and making the lingering raspberry coulis the center of this richly textured experience. It's almost a yen-yang of vibrancy and richness, highlighting the reason why Barbera is so exciting!
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Varietal | Barbera |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Barbera |
| Appellation | Sierra Foothills (El Dorado) |
| Vineyard | Cardanini Vineyards |
| Sugar | 25.0 |
| Acid | 0.67% |
| PH | 3.50% |
| Aging | 5+ Years |
| Alcohol | 14.90% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 614 |
The Cardanini Vineyards in El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, supplied all the fruit. The soils are volcanic an naturally acidic and give this wine its minerality and refreshing acidity.
Paul Bush, Owner/Winemaker
Madroña Vineyards
Camino, California.
We are a family-owned and operated winery focusing on terroir-driven, Estate-Grown fruit.
Annual Case Production: 12,000 cases
Planted Acres: 70 acres planted at the 2,850 to 3,000 foot elevation.
Career Background: Having helped plant the family vineyards as a kid in 1973, I grew up working in our winery what seemed like every day after school. I had no intention of “winding up” in the wine industry and graduated from U.C. Davis in 1989 with a degree in Economics. However, with an interest in traveling abroad, our winery offered a flexible schedule and an opportunity to work with inspiring winemakers such as Mark Foster and Hugh Chappelle. I began managing the vineyards and business in 1991 and making the wines in late 2002.
Biggest Professional Challenge: Balance! Working with my wife, Maggie, we find our greatest challenge is how to be business owners with all of its responsibilities while making the wines, growing the grapes, marketing the brand and raising two daughters. Any given day can be filled with dusting the vineyards at daybreak, acid trials before lunch, working in the tasting room in the afternoon—and then throw in a swim meet or school play for spice. Undoubtedly, every small, family winery tackles the same aspect of wearing so many hats, but the challenge and excitement is unique to each one.
Varietals that Madroña is Known for: In total, we grow 27 varieties in our El Dorado vineyards. From within these plantings, however, I believe that Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Riesling and the seven Portuguese varieties (for our New-World Port) are consistently outstanding.
Short Testimonial: I truly can’t imagine doing anything else but growing grapes and enjoying wine. I believe the terroir of our region is unique with overall cool-climate aspects, peppered with warm summer days and a slightly shorter growing season. So finding the true expression of each variety for our vineyards ends up being an exciting and challenging adventure every vintage. The wines have more backbone and structure than most regions of California while showcasing the intense varietal character of mountain fruit. Most often, I find that the wine knows best in how it should be “made,” and I’m just along for the ride. As we once heard in France, “One does not make wine. One elaborates wine!” And with our Estate-grown grapes, I am quite content to be the “elaborator.”
Click on the links below to get information about our
other vintages.
2017
2016
2014
