Babcock
While Babcock Winery’s first vintage was not until 1984, the quest to establish this winery began some 6 years prior. Walt and Mona Babcock were looking for a retreat from Walt’s dental practice as well as Walt’s Wharf, a restaurant they opened together in 1970. Their search led them to the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, a fledgling wine region at that point, in which they planted their first 25 acre Babcock Vineyard in 1980. Up until 1983 they were selling their fruit to some notable winemakers but in 1984 Walt’s son Bryan produced the first Babcock wine. This Babcock Estate Sauvignon Blanc won double gold medals, the first of many honors to come for Babcock Winery. Babcock Vineyards is still family owned producing over 20,000 cases annually with 90 acres planted to multiple grape varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Be sure to check out our Babcock wine ratings to see which Babcock wines may be right for you.
Babcock 2010 Psi Clone Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
- Online Exclusive
- $60
Right out of the bottle, this wine smells and tastes tight and unappealing. It’s marked by drying tannins and earthiness, giving it a rustic quality. Still, there’s a good core of cherry fruit.
— S.H.
(7/1/2012)
Babcock 1998 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County)
- $18
Quite buttery, with ample apple, melon and citrus fruit. Some herb and mineral flavors add an interesting note of complexity to the long finish.
— W.E.
(6/1/2000)
Babcock 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
- $19
Has sharp acids and a tart flavor of sour cherries, but the smooth tannins and pretty oak soften and sweeten.
— S.H.
(10/1/2004)
Babcock 2003 Radical Syrah (Paso Robles)
- $50
What’s radical about this wine is the amount of fruit crammed into it: jammy, superripe blackberries framed in caramel-drizzled toast. Some tough tannins on the finish need time to resolve. It’s practically embryonic at this stage; hold 3–5 years.
— W.E.
(9/1/2005)
Babcock 2004 New Epoch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $35
Sharp and rustic compared to Napa and Sonoma Cabs, with green, minty tannins. There’s a lot of oak, and some ripe cherry-blackberry fruit, but work remains to be done on the tannins.
— S.H.
(11/1/2007)
Babcock 2006 Rita's Earth Cuvée Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
- $20
Crisp and spicy, with oak and lees influences, yet lacking a bit in fruity concentration. With one-fifth Pinot Gris, the wine shows modest citrus, apple and floral flavors.
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
Babcock 2006 New Epoch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $40
Babcock continues to be challenged with ripeness in their Cabs. This ’06 has weedy, mint and Tabasco flavors alongside the oak-inspired currants. Drink now.
— S.H.
(12/31/2008)
Babcock 2002 Grand Cuvee Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
- $35
All the elements of great Pinot are here except concentration. You’ll find modest flavors of cherries, cola, smoke and vanilla, in an easy, gentle wine. Good stuff, but seems overpriced for what you get..
— S.H.
(2/1/2005)
Most Reviewed Designations
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2009 Va Piano
Having been given almost four years of age prior to release, this deep…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity