Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
Acorn Andrea Oberto Atlas Peak Benziger Beringer Blandy's Bodega Navarro Correas Burgans Cantina Terlano Chimney Rock Chronicle Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Emilio Lustau Fonseca Foxen Gaston Riviere Glen Ellen Hess Collection Innocent Bystander Kendall-Jackson Korbel La Caudrina Luna Vineyards Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Pahlmeyer Roederer Estate Ruggeri Sawyer Cellars Sbragia Six Sigma Winery St. James Steltzner Vineyards Trinchero Winery Trione V. Sattui Winery William Fevre Wilson Winery
Category Archives: Sangiovese
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2006
Isole e Olena, Chianti Classico 2006 Cherries and cranberries mark the nose with a touch of earth and smoke. In the mouth it is perfectly tart, light-bodied and ready to accompany roasted chicken. There’s long, lingering cherry flavor and acidity … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Tagged Isole e Olena
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Tuscany’s Wine Classics
Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Clasico 2006 The nose shows baked cherries and brown spices. In the mouth the cherry fruit is quite vibrant as is the acidity which matches it – nice.The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Tagged Argiano, Castello della Paneretta
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Noceto Sangiovese 2007
Noceto, Amador County, Sangiovese 2007 Cherries are on display in the nose. In the mouth they follow through with plenty of acidity and a light-bodied, smooth mouthfeel – nice. P&B in Plymouth by Suzy and Jim Gullett 14% purchased for … Continue reading
Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2007
Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2007 The nose sports cherries and caramel with some raisins – clean and inviting. In the mouth the acidity is vibrant, the tannins are there yet ripe and there is a creaminess as well – … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Tagged Badia a Coltibuono
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La Rasina Brunello 2004
La Rasina, Brunello di Montalcino 2004 This wine smells as if you’ve walked into a room filled with spices, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and more. In the mouth you’ll find lots of extract, a wine that is dense and acidic yet … Continue reading
Avignonesi Vino Nobile 2006
Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 In April, the nose spoke Old World with a bit of funkiness. In the mouth this Vino Nobile shined, concentrated, tannic and possessing electrifying acidity that accentuated the cherry fruit – very nice. I … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Tagged Avignonesi
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Acorn Sangiovese 2007
Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyards, Sangiovese 2007 This wine delivers the acidity of Sangiovese with the ripeness of California – very nice. The grapes for this wine are 98% Sangiovese (7 different clones), 1% Canaiolo and 1% Mammolo. Winegrowers … Continue reading
Luna Sangiovese 2007
Luna, Napa Valley, Sangiovese 2007 This is a light-bodied and fruit forward Sangiovese to tickle the heart of died in the wool New World wine drinkers. I’m a huge fan of Sangiovese but often when I introduce a classic model … Continue reading
Frescobaldi Toscana Remole 2008
Frescobaldi, Toscana IGT, Remole 2008 This wine is fresh and fruit forward, ready to drink, a light-bodied quaffer which demonstrates that clean and juicy wine is not the exclusive realm of New World producers. Behind the bright cherry fruit is … Continue reading
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva 2006
Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina DOCG, Nipozzano, Riserva 2006 Unfortunately the first bottle was corked and will make a good example for my seminar on wine faults. The second bottle shows the huge difference a cork can make. In bottle … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Rufina, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
Tagged Marchesi de Frescobaldi
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The Great Wines of St. Helena
Appellation St. Helena hosted a tasting on Tuesday to show off the wines of the AVA. We discussed the recent vintages and tasted 48 wines, with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. Below is a baker’s dozen, the stars of … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Zinfandel
Tagged Benessere, Crocker & Starr, DeSante, Ehlers Estate, Hall Wines, Midsummer Cellars, Raymond Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, Salvestrin Winery, Spottswoode Estate, Trinchero Winery
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Muscardini Rosato 2008
Muscardini Cellars, Sonoma Valley, Monte Rosso Vineyards, Rosato di Sangiovese 2008 This is a zippy rose, a clean expression of Sangiovese’s cherry character with refreshing acidity – very nice. The wine was fermented and aged in neurtal French oak for … Continue reading
Posted in California, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
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Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2006
Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2006 There’s a dusty,woodsy character in the nose at this point. In the mouth there is plenty of expected acidity and cherry fruit, with a soft dusting of tannin, an elegant Classico. The grapes for … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Siro Pacenti Rosso 2006
Siro Pacenti, Rosso di Montalcino 2006 The fresh cherries come through in the nose with a New World freshness. In the mouth however, is the structure you expect, plenty of acidity and tannin – nice. The grapes are all Sangiovese … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2006
Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico DOCG 2006 The nose features a woodsy, earthy character. In the mouth there is textbook tangy acidity, tart cherries, a touch of tannin and a long finish – very nice. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 2% Malvasia Nera … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Acorn Sangiovese 2006
Acorn, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyards, Sangiovese 2006 Cherry and vanilla mark the nose while the mouth features cherry fruit, Sangiovese’s characteristic acidity, a light dusting of tannin and a bit of creaminess – nice. The grapes for this wine … Continue reading
Rocca di Montegrossi 2005
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico DOCG, 2005 There’s earthiness in the nose and plenty of tart cherry flavor in the mouth. This wine is medium-bodied, shows a bit of tannin and is long on acidity. I’m craving salame as I … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti, Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva 2005
Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina, Nipozzano, Riserva DOCG 2005 The nose is toasty, charred and sweet smelling. In July ’09 the brett is starting to show itself yet still in a complexing way. In the mouth, the intense acidity of … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti Rufina, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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La Rasina Rosso 2005
La Rasina, Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2005 There are cherries and green herbs in the nose. In the mouth the cherries are vibrant and tart with some tannic grab. Estate bottled by Marco Mantengoli in Montalcino 13.5% $22.49 at Bottle … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Montalcino, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Castellare Chianti Classico 2005
Castellare, Chianti Classico 2005 This estate has traditionally shown an Old World expression in their wines from Tuscany. There is a combination of cherry fruit and earthiness in the nose. The mouth showcases lean and tart cherry flavors – right … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Well well
Benessere, Napa Valley, Estate, Sangiovese 2005 You can smell sweet, candied cherries and vanilla in the glass while the mouth is a supple showcase of the same with Sangiovese’s textbook acidity. The house style is one of polished wines. 12 … Continue reading
Posted in California, Napa Valley, Sangiovese
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Across Italy
Vietti, Langhe DOC, Nebbiolo, Perbacco 2005 Spot on with black licorice and a wallop of tannin. Estate Bottled in Castiglione Falletto 13.5% $26.99 at Traverso’s Vietti Badia a Coltibuono, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There is a pleasant combo of earth, … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Italian style
Ramazzotti, Sonoma County, Raffinto, Red Wine 2005 This smells like a walk in the oak forest where some of the trees have been freshly felled – an intertwining of oak and earth. The mouth is vivaciously fruity with the oak … Continue reading
The pink stars
Taft Street, Sonoma Coast, Rose of Pinot Noir 2007 Mild but muted strawberries and an astringent profile. Unfortunately this wine has a sub-threshold level of TCA that’s blocking the fruit. The grapes come from the Pasta King, Art Ibletto. P&B … Continue reading
Tuscan sea to famed hilltop
Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri DOC Poggio Al Ginepri 2006 There’s a light earthiness and a sense of brambles in the nose. The mouth is soft and easy drinking with leather, a moderate amount of tannic grip and acidity. Estate bottled in … Continue reading
Posted in Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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The real deal in Dry Creek Valley
Fred Peterson has a winemaking resume to rival many. He’s been at some of California’s most famous estates, working in Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sonoma County. Just over 20 years ago he took up the building of his … Continue reading
Posted in California, Carignane, Dry Creek Valley, Mendocino County, Sangiovese, Sonoma County, Zinfandel
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Italian classics
Castello della Paneretta, Chianti Classico DOCG 2005 There’s loads of acidity and the taste of cherries. The grapes behind this wine are 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Estate bottled in Barberino val d’Elsa 13% $17.99 at Traverso’s Paneretta Andrea Oberto, … Continue reading
Posted in Chianti Classico, Italy, Langhe, Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Sangiovese, Tuscany
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Bring on the sawmill
J. Keverson, Mendocino County, Janes Vineyard, Sangiovese 2005 If you like your New World Sangiovese heavy on the oak, this is your wine. There’s loads of sweet-oaky essence all over this supple wine. The moderate acidity will feel a disappointment … Continue reading
Posted in California, Mendocino County, Sangiovese
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The expressions of Sangiovese
Rocca di Montegrossi, Chianti Classico DOCG, 2004 Screaming acidity and light body. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, aged in French oak for 12 months. Estate bottled in Gaiole 13.5% $22.99 at Traverso’s Valdicava, Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2003 Appropriate earthiness … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Napa Valley, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
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Tuscan hit parade
2 great producers and 2 classic wines. Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG 2004 There’s some appropriate barnyard notes tied into the tart cherry and lightly tannic palate. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 2% Malvasia Nera and 2% Colorino, aged for one year … Continue reading
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