Doce Robles Winery & Vineyard

Winemaker and grapegrower Jim Jacobsen is a farmer to the bone. He loves being on the tractor, on the forklift, in the vineyard truck, on an ATV or even on horseback. When you pull up to the tasting room, you will be greeted by at least one amiable German Shepherd eager to play with a stick. Others will be lazing about in the Central Coast sunshine, giving not a care for the acres of grape-covered hills that surround them.

Jim will usually be out in the fields or hard at work in the winery: this is a family run, hands on operation. As the painting on the label depicts, this westwide Paso location is an oak-studded heaven of rolling, vine-laced hills, with vineyard rows running in every direction. All Jim’s estate red wines, including Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Barbera, are rich and expressive.

This Barbera is one of his true classics. It smells fresh, fruity, earthy and piney, with hints of baking clay. The bold and juicy flavours of cranberries, elderberries, and dusty ripe blackberries are laced with wonderful acidity and layered with healthy, well-structured tannins. After a bit of air, it reveals delicious flavours of anise, salami and sun-dried tomatoes with hints of basil. Although it is lovely now, this elegantly made Barbera will be even better in 5 to 10 years.

Reviewed July 22, 2008 by Laura Ness.