Could this have tasted like cheese?

The 2001 Jula is plainly astonishing, at once offering a glimpse into its deep, sensuous character. I let it breathe off its dusky vapors over the course of 30 minutes as I tend to my garden. I return to a round fullness that speaks the wine’s readiness to be sampled. Myriad colors splash into the glass — deep ink, chocolate, and garnet, with golden-hued edges. Imagine rich, smoky leather and deep complexity in your first whiff of the glass’ contents — this wine is laced with oporto overtones. It’s a wine that, at five years of aging, could be labeled “Riserva” with all due recognition. And that’s apparent just on observing appearance and aroma. Oh my, but I can vouch for my visual and olfactory senses with the Jula. Everything my eyes and nose tell me are confirmed. A near-perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness is present; heat in this wine, at 14%, is virtually undetectable. The high-tannin Nebbiolo has been exquisitely matched to the low-tannin Barbera to form an ever-so-slight tartness that begs for another sip. I willingly oblige. The velvety chewiness and multilayered fruit textures of this rosso blend are scrumptious and extravagant, showing a fine maturity at five years’ aging. It lasts on my palate well, the fruity smokiness lingering for many pleasant moments.

this wine was either spoiled in shipment or undrinkably bad - not sure.

loved this! Nebbiolo and Barbera are the classic grapes of the Piedmont region (Barolo & Barbaresco are made of Nebbiolo). Nebbiolo is tannic and has a long maturation period whereas Barbera helps to soften the tannins and makes for a very easy drink. (kind of like Cab/Merlot relationship). Totally yummy wine!

Delicious.