2010 Barrel 27 Bull By the Horns
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Bull by the Horns is also smoking good. A blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot, it’s loaded with smoky berry fruit, leather, cedar box, pepper and licorice aromas and flavors. This medium to full-bodied beauty has loads of character, excellent overall balance and a finish that pumps on loads of fruit and richness while staying focused and dry. Enjoy it over the coming 5-7 years. Drink now-2020. These value-priced efforts are made by McPrice Myers and offer ridiculously good drinking for not much money. The wines are, generally speaking, upfront and fruit-loaded, yet always offer solid complexity, good richness and overall very well-made profiles. Tel. (805) 237-1245; www.barrel27-mcpricemyers.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Barrel 27's 2010 Bull by the Horns brings together Syrah, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, three varieties that aren't often seen together. Layers of black fruit, licorice, smoke and French oak emerge over time, but ultimately, the French oak proves to be overpowering. Given the fabulous quality of the other wines in this range, my hunch is that the Bull by the Horns just needs a little lighter hand in the cellar. There seems to be plenty of untapped potential here.