90
points
Woodbridge 1994 Portacinco (California)
-
$20
A blend of five traditional Port varieties, this is a sweet (10% residual sugar), very rich wine of substance and harmony. It has massive flavors of berries with sweet overlays of caramel, chocolate and mint, and the sugars are nicely balanced by crisp acidity, although the texture is soft and velvety. This tasty wine achieves the complexity and provides the…
— S.H.
(12/31/2000)
88
points
Woodbridge 2000 Syrah (California)
-
$9
You can put this next to Syrahs costing four times as much and smell them both, and this Robert Mondavi wine will win out. It’s all about white pepper, blackberries and oak. Tastes fine and yummy, with rich berry flavors and soft, creamy tannins. Could use a bit more depth, but at this price, you can’t have everything.
— S.H.
(12/1/2002)
88
points
Woodbridge 1997 Portacinco (Lodi)
-
$20
Made from traditional Port varieties, Woodbridge’s Portacinco is always a rich, sweet dessert wine, satisfying in fruit and body. You’ll find dark chocolate, white chocolate, cassis and cherry flavors, with good balancing acidity.
— S.H.
(7/1/2005)
88
points
Woodbridge 1997 Barbera (Lodi)
-
$12
Opens with complex, inviting aromas of blackberry jam, sweet oak, smoke, vanilla and mint. In the mouth, it’s pretty austere now, with tart acidity and rich tannins masking underlying plum and blackberry flavors. This is a young, big wine with aging potential, but balanced enough for early drinking.
— S.H.
(11/15/2001)