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Wine Details
Price:
$19.00 per bottle
Description:
Sangiovese from Nona Vineyard in the northwestern San Miguel microclimate, and cabernet from Francis James Vineyard in the eastern Estrella Bench were picked at optimum ripeness, with richly pigmented skins, and toasty seeds which contribute ripe, spicy tannins. Both vineyards produced a mere 2 tons per acre in 2002, resulting in fabulous fruit and layers of spice.
The wine was fermented in small open tops with a Rhone yeast that enhances black cherry character, and punched down by hand. It was aged for 22 months in neutral French and new American barrels for gentle perfumes of oak, vanilla and spice.
Aromas of tarragon and cinnamon precede flavors of sweet cherry and licorice in this smoothly-textured sangiovese blend.
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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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