Proclivity Proprietary Red Barber 2012
Full-bodied red wine · Barber Cellars
Vintage: 2012
Type
Full-bodied red wine
Producer
Barber Cellars
Country
United States
Vintage
2012
Region & Appellation
Sonoma County, California
Grape Varieties
Bordeaux-style red blend (typically Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot)
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby-purple core with a youthful garnet rim, showing high viscosity and slow-moving legs on the glass.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, cassis, and blackberry, complemented by secondary notes of vanilla, toasted oak, espresso bean, and subtle undertones of leather and dried herbs.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and concentrated entry on the palate that unfolds into a lush mid-palate rich with dark fruit and baking spices. The finish is long, warming, and structured, leaving lingering impressions of cocoa and fine-grained tannin.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by opulent flavors of blackberry jam, black currant, and black plum, layered with complex nuances of cedar, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, and a hint of graphite.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, rich, and mouth-coating texture, demonstrating high extract and a smooth, polished mouthfeel.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium to medium-plus acidity provides a necessary structural lift to the dense fruit, while the tannins are firm yet ripe and well-integrated, offering a fine-grained, grippy finish.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with less than 3 g/L of residual sugar.
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV, contributing to a full body and a warm, generous finish typical of high-end California reds.
Aging & Oak
Aged for roughly 18 to 24 months in French oak barrels (a high percentage of which are new), imparting rich notes of vanilla, toast, and subtle baking spices.
Food Pairings
Ideal with heavy, protein-rich dishes such as a prime ribeye steak, rack of lamb, braised short ribs, or aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Gouda.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F (15-18°C) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is strongly recommended to allow the complex aromas and dense tannins to fully open up.
Price Range
$60 - $90 USD
Quality Assessment
91-93 points. A well-crafted, premium boutique red blend that showcases the warmth and generosity of Sonoma County terroir with excellent concentration and balance.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested grapes, destemmed and sorted before traditional temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by extended maceration and barrel aging in French oak.
Terroir
Sourced from hillside vineyards in Sonoma County featuring well-drained soils, warm sunny days, and cooling evening breezes from the Pacific Ocean, allowing for optimal ripening and acid retention.
History & Heritage
Produced by Barber Cellars, a boutique winery known for producing small-lot, high-quality wines that highlight the unique character of Sonoma vineyards.
Interesting Facts
The term 'Proclivity' refers to a natural inclination or predisposition, reflecting the winemaker's passion and instinctive approach to blending distinctive lots.
Cellaring Potential
Drinking exceptionally well now, but has the structure and depth to continue aging gracefully through 2026-2030.
Similar Wines
High-end Sonoma and Napa Valley proprietary red blends, such as Opus One, Ridge Monte Bello, or Caymus Special Selection.