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Wine Details
Price:
$18.00 per bottle
Description:
As we prepared for the crush of our first Sangiovese in 1997 we were convinced that the vinification protocols used by many early California Sangiovese producers did not fit the grape. Vinification of Sangiovese requires a different approach than what we have been used to with our Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Given the characteristics of the variety we believed that it demanded handling more akin to Pinot Noir and that the use of new oak should be restrained allowing its crisp, bright, fruit character to shine forth. We think you’ll agree when you try this striking ’01 release with its dark ruby color, its richly spiced strawberry aromas, its deep, lingering flavors of cherry and dark plum, and its delightfully crisp finish. We also think you’ll discover with us and our Tuscan friends why Sangiovese has become one of the most deliciously versatile red food wines in the world.
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Varietal Definition
Sangiovese:
Sanguis Jovis, the Latin origin for the varietal name, literally means “blood of Jove.” Sangiovese is one of the oldest known varietals and it is likely that ancient Etruscan winemakers cultivated it, although the first literary reference to Sangiovese was in 1722. Sangiovese is probably indigenous to Tuscany, whose most famous wine is Chianti. Chianti is a blend that currently contains a minimum of 90% Sangiovese.Sangiovese thrives in hot dry climates. Because these climatic criteria generally enhance quantity, rather than quality, it takes careful cultivation and winemaking techniques to produce really excellent wine from this grape.
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Pinot Noir:
The name is derived from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’ alluding to the varietals' tightly clustered dark purple pine cone shaped bunches of fruit. Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine. By volume most Pinot Noir in America is grown in California with Oregon coming in second. Other regions are Washington State and New York.During 2004 and the beginning of 2005, Pinot Noir became considerably more popular amongst consumers in the United States, possibly because of the movie Sideways. Being lighter in style, it has benefited from a trend toward more restrained, less alcoholic wines. It is the delicate, subtle, complex and elegant nature of this wine that encourages growers and winemakers to cultivate this difficult grape. Robert Parker has described Pinot Noir: "When it's great, Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world."
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