601 CELLARS “Super Tuscan” Napa Valley 2017
Blend of 80% Sangiovese (from “Solari Vineyard” in Calistoga), 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon (both from Coombsville). Cherry preserves, cocoa and dusty garden herb aromas move on to a rich, warm, fruit-driven flavor. The berry/cherry flavors, dark and sun-ripe, are supported by cinnamon, ruby grapefruit and a crushed rock-like earthiness. Medium to full bodied, velvety […]
Random Ridge Fortunata 2016
A bright, beautiful, perfumed expression of Sangiovese from the high reaches of Mt Veeder District. The wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper, and garden thyme/tarragon smells & flavors are a joy. Medium bodied, medium/high acidity and lightly oaked – appropriate and perfect, in my opinion, for the Sangiovese grape. This rare wine is a great value […]
ACKERMAN “Alavigna Tosca” 2015
60% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (“Super Tuscan Style”) blend. Bright and bold aromas of red cherry liqueur, tarragon and black tea. Tastes like a big, happy mouthful of ripe wild red cherries with back-up pomegranate, raspberry, new leather, coriander and black pepper. Medium bodied, leaning toward medium-full, fine tannins, lovely acidity, modest oak. Everything’s in […]
Poliziano Rosso di Montepulciano 2015
A delicious red for drinking anytime, the Poliziano Rosso di Montepulciano is around 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot. Flavors of briary, dark red raspberries and strawberries plus red currants, black tea and tarragon. Nice and intense in the mouth with soft tannins, bright acidity, no oak, and a big rush of white pepper-dusted berry fruits […]
GRACCIANO DELLA SETA Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015
Strong, earth-first, “old style” Sangiovese (known as Prugnolo Gentile in these parts). Earthy dark cherries and blackberries are covered by black tea, dry tarragon and rosemary, tobacco and black olive in the Gracciano della Seta Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015. Tannins get big on the mid-palate, then, gracefully soften at the finish. This is not a […]
IL BORGHETTO “Monte de Sassi” 2013
The Il Borghetto Monte de Sassi is 100% Sangiovese from Estate property within the Chianti Classico region (see below). Delicious, quite rich and ready to enjoy. Smell and taste dark red cherry liqueur, violets and red roses, nutmeg and new leather handbag. Fruity, round and gratifying in the mouth with just enough old world savory […]
POGGIOTONDO Chianti “Biologico” 2016
This is a darker, riper expression of a straight-up, under $20 Chianti. That said, the savory, food-friendly acidity we like from Chianti is there. Smell and taste dark red cherries, black olives, dried Italian herbs and cocoa. This makes an excellent “house wine” to drink up with white and light red meats, sausages and tomato […]
PESTONI Rose 2017
Made from 61% Sangiovese and 39% Merlot. Saignée method (juice bled off soon-to-be red wine). Pretty aromas of watermelon jolly rancher, fresh peaches, plums and lilacs. Taste is bright, refreshing and friendly: wild cherry, fresh watermelon, dark peach, strawberry and fruit blossoms. Sits lightly in the mouth but with delicious fruit flavors and texture. One […]
Rocca di MONTEGROSSI Chianti Classico 2015
This is a fleshy, fruity, pure Chianti Classico that is sure to please all fans of the region and of Sangiovese. The wine sports a ripe, wild red cherry, red currant and raspberry nose with classic spice/floral/earth sensations of white pepper, violets, thyme and black tea. Friendly and fruity enough to drink sans food, but […]
Villa Ragazzi “Faraona” Napa Valley 2014
“Super Tuscan” style blend of 75% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is powerful like a lady gymnast rather than a male weightlifter. Black currant, dark raspberry, cedar, orange tea and tobacco smells and flavors all tightly packed into this intense, youthful wine whose best days are well ahead of it (2025-2030 best drinking I […]
POLIZIANO Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 14
85% Prugnolo Gentile (the local clone/name of Sangiovese), 15% Colorina, Canaiolo and Merlot. I like this wine’s wild red fruit intensity, dried violet & lavender notes, complimentary soil, black olive and black truffle and finally its careful use of oak (mostly once previously used). Perky acidity and a grip of fine tannins that dissolve with […]
