2003 Barnwood 3200' Santa Barbara County Cabernet Sauvignon
The Barnwood 2003 3200' Cabernet Sauvignon is a big beefy Cabernet made from grapes which are in the Sierra Madre Mountains (right around the 3200-foot level, hence the name). The wine is aged for 15 months in half new and half neutral French oak barrels.
It's a decent wine for an under $20 wine. It has a dark color and a strong taste that's got a leathery, almost beef jerky-like note. It has a spicy plummy nose and the wine was significantly better after it had a chance to aerate and open up a bit revealing a soft fruity plushness. This wine picked up a bunch of silver and gold awards in 2005 and 2006 and is a great young wine that stands up well to hearty meals (it would be a great companion to a beef stew).
