A tremendous winner of a big, bold, hearty red we have before us today! A past Top-100 winner with the Wine Enthusiast, “Editors’ Choice” Barbareño is the top red for Refugio Ranch. The winemaker here is none other than Ryan Deovlet, another Top-100 winner with Wine & Spirits magazine this year. To quote Antonio Galloni; “Ryan Deovlet continues to refine the wines at Refugio Ranch… some of the most distinctive Rhône-variety wines in Santa Barbara… Barbareño is a wine of real allure.”

Black, blue and purple glowing on the narrow edge circumventing the opaque core. Jammy, dried fruits, blueberry pie, cinnamon, nutmeg, fig, balsamic and violets too can be found on the truly distinctive nose. Intense, rich and flavorful on the palate with a sense of true character, brambly ripe red and black fruits with prodigious tension. Builds up to a crescendo of flavor on the finish, with tarry tannins enveloped in fruity and sweet incenses. Hearty stews, an all-day simmered chili, smoked sausages, grilled veggies all work for this food-friendly, one-of-a-kind red blend.

A superb bargain with a 40% discount means a red you just can’t get enough of. We sure couldn’t, so we encourage you not to miss it!

For a glimpse into Refugio Ranch, its people, and their philosophy, please view this wonderful video:

The Santa Ynez Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), which was designated in 1983, covers more than 75,000 acres in the broader Santa Barbara County. The area has since been sub-divided into four separate sub-appellations: Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and the Los Olivos District. The Santa Ynez AVA contains a diversity of soil and climate types which contribute, in turn, to a great diversity of grape varietal and wine styles. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most-planted grape here, but Bordeaux and Rhône varieties do particularly well here.

Here is what the wine press has to say:

95 Points, Editors Choice – Wine Enthusiast - “Fantastic purple-leaning aromas of acai, elderberry, boysenberry, pastry dough, lavender and white pepper make for a compelling nose on this blend of 77% Syrah and 23% Petite Sirah. Purple flowers pop on the palate too against a blackberry-laced backdrop, with strong peppery spice throughout the sip.”

94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous - “Ryan Deovlet continues to refine the wines at Refugio Ranch. Each year, I see a bit more focus, a bit more clarity, behind each bottling, and that is, of course, a huge positive. These are some of the most distinctive Rhône-variety wines in Santa Barbara. The 2016 Barbareño, Refugio Ranch’s Syrah/Petite Sirah blend, is stellar. Dark, rich and potent in the glass, the Barbareño possesses superb depth and impeccable balance. Dark red/blackish fruits, grilled herbs, leather, licorice and cloves infuse the 2016 with tremendous textural resonance and nuance. Barbareño is a wine of real allure.”