January 28, 2020
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 and rich. The 601 “Super Tuscan” maintains the integrity of Sangiovese as it gives the wine a little extra oomph with the Merlot and Cabernet. In my customary comparison, dollar for dollar, with Napa Valley Cabernet, I think in that realm it is a very […]
May 7, 2019
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 and well worth seeking out. Contact Bill Hawley, founder/owner/farmer/winemaker do it all guy at Random Ridge. Read his story here.
February 26, 2019
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 place. Drinking like a champ. I really enjoyed with a sausage & mushroom pie at Forge Pizzeria.
August 28, 2018
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 on the finish. Enjoy this with everything from sausage pizza to meatloaf to bean soup with root vegetables. I had it tonight with chicken tamales tonight and it was perfect! This is an excellent red to just have around when something good and very reasonably […]
August 20, 2018
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 wine for everybody. It is for fans of well-made, traditional style Tuscan red wine.
August 6, 2018
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 flavors to pin it as Italian. More Information While Il Borghetto is located in the Chianti Classico DOCG, disagreements between winery and “The DOC System” usually result in the Toscana IGP designation. No big deal as the wines are delicious and special. I did not […]
May 10, 2018
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 sauce dishes. This wine is imported and can be purchased from Old Bridge Cellars in Napa. Contact them to buy and, if you live in or around Napa, arrange a pick up.
April 24, 2018
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 of the best Napa Valley Rosés I’ve had. More Information The Pestoni Family proudly claim their 125 year history of grape growing and wine making in the Napa Valley. Andy and Shannon Pestoni have returned to the “family business” after selling their Jelly Jar label […]
April 22, 2018
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 it’s best with grilled/roasted white meats and cooked tomato dishes, I find. I like how this Chianti appeals to all palates while still being completely honest to Chianti. This is 91% Sangiovese, 9% Canaiolo/Colorino. Organic Estate vineyards, temperature controlled cement tank fermenation (blend of old […]
March 24, 2018
“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 think). 13.6% alcohol, medium/high tannins, low oak influence by Napa standards. If I had a child born in 2014 this would definitely make my birth year collection. The Rodeno Family, owners and winemakers of Villa Ragazzi, take Sangiovese seriously. Their Oakville home and vineyard […]
October 4, 2017
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 roasted flesh and/or olive oily fare. This is a very satisfying Southern Tuscany red for the dinner table.