Sangiovese Taste Off – Episode #439

April 8, 2008

Sangiovese is a grape that has thrived in Italy and we are seeing many California wineries take to the grape as well, who will win this battle ROYAL?

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Comments on this episode(223) Leave a comment ›

“Nice show. I have had a 3 case love affair with the 04 Casanova di ne…” by Tom
“Love the Mr. Wizard action going on! That kind of makes me want to go …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Casanova Di Neri Rosso Di MontalcinoRosso di Montalcino
2005 Luna Napa SangioveseNapa Italian Varieties

223 Responses

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January 28, 2009

Tom
Nice show. I have had a 3 case love affair with the 04 Casanova di neri rosso. It was more like a young adult Brunello. Sorry to hear that the 06 is such tannic mess. BTW, we have some killer wine nights with some really high end wines. After everyone leaves, the 1/8 bottles of wine are laying around and sometimes I mix them into one bottle. I have rarely been disappointed. It makes for a great bottle of wine the next night.
January 10, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Love the Mr. Wizard action going on! That kind of makes me want to go out and do that. Sorry about the double-meh, though. QOTD: I have not, but its def. on my to-buy list at my wine shop.
May 3, 2008

greez
Im kinda new to the wine scene but i tried La Carraia the Umbrian Sangiovese, a 2006 and I liked it just fine. Mabye my palate is’nt sophisticated enough to judge wines like some, but I have tried a good amount of reds in my life and this one aint bad at all.
May 2, 2008

Kenny Hyder
QOTD: Foxen Sangiovase 2005. Trust me.
May 1, 2008

thkorent
qotd: biondi santi rosso di montalcino 2004. They have 2 versions, the cheaper one. Competes with 50 Dollar rossos and Brunellos but comes at half the cost and yes, you can drink it nicely already now…
April 27, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
The 2003 Familia Cara Chianti Chianti Classico Riserva and the 2005 Luigi Cecchi & Figli Chianti Classico were both decent, but nothing too special.
April 24, 2008

sadhuminstrels
05 Saggi from Longshadows in Washington. Delicious.
April 21, 2008

Carlitos
QOTD. Lots of them. The 2000 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda was one of the latest. I also enjoyed the 2003 Casanova di Neri Rosso di Montalcino.

Don’t give up on the Sangioveseh!
April 20, 2008

lee
I AM. i am drinking 2006 siro pacenti rosso di montalcino. drinking great right now.
April 18, 2008

Omallley
Good Sangiovese?

No, not recently.

I had a similar experience with a Sandhill Small Lots program Sangiovese (2004, Okanagan Valley), where I was KO’ed by the oak monster. Although, I suppose “Aged for 20 months in new french oak” on the back label should have been my first tip off….
April 16, 2008

Rudeman
QOTD: August Ridge Sangiovese. New winery on the east side of Paso Robles. Just releasing a very good Barbera and Nebiolo.
April 15, 2008

David Cole
QOTD: Niner Estates, Bootjack Ranch Paso Robles

I liked the show and I think it takes “sack” to blend the wines on the go! It’s not anything that wineries don’t do! LOL!
April 14, 2008

Keith Brown
This show DID bring the thunder Gary when you blended the wine. Brilliance! I only wish you had rated the blend, LOL. QOTD: Sangiovese is probably my favorite varietal (might have something to do with my Italian heritage, I don’t know) but I’m far from experienced or knowledgeable about it. One of the best Chiantis I’ve had recently was one you did on WLTV not too long ago and it was one of your best selling wines last year, but the name escapes me at the moment. I recently had my first “baby Brunello”, Tenuta Friggiali 2002 Rosso di Montalcino. I was very impressed with that even with it’s shortcomings.
April 13, 2008

Ryan
QOTD – I just had a 2005 Santa Cristina Toscana Sangiovese (90 Sangiovese 10 Merlot) I enjoyed the wine as I do all Sangioveses and I got it for 12 bucks so can’t complain there
April 13, 2008

Dan-o
To start, why do we always hear that cheesy song in the background – “how do I get you alone?”. You need to work on your background music variety.

Sangiovese – I am a big fan. Lately, I have had the Castello Nippozano Chianti Rufina and the Montesodi from the same producer and region (Frescobaldi). Very good stuff!

The best American Sangiovese that I have had is from Mietz Cellars. My wife and I really enjoyed it.
April 13, 2008

tuscanbob
Drinking loads of good sangiovese. A couple of the finest I’ve had lately are the 2004 Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva and the 2001 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva Coltassala. Favorite of all time is the riserva bottling of the vineyard we stayed at in Gaiole in Chianti in summer 2006…Borgo Casa al Vento. The wines of Castello di Brolio are a close second….left a 6 pack of those on the airport tram in Rome…oh that hurt.
April 12, 2008

yowens
QOTD: Fonterutoli rocks it
April 12, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
QOTD – I had a decent Montalcino this afternoon at a tasting. And I had some good Sangiovese in Italy at Christmas.
April 12, 2008

ChinonRouge
Excellent show. Reflects my same opinion of these wines.
April 12, 2008

Jim
Jim S.

There is a great little producer called Fratelli Perata in Paso Robles that makes a pretty good sangiovese–The wine makers are two italian brothers and they have a kind of cult following in the Paso Robles area.

By the way, I have always wanted to try the wine mixing, but have not had the guts–that was fun to watch
April 12, 2008

Peter (Mila's Dad)
You once did a tasting of another ‘baby brunello’–a 2005 Altesino Rosso di Montalcino, which I had and utterly loved. Outrageously priced at about 10 bucks at my local wine shop in Inwood, NY. Tried to find it, no luck, but recently bought three bottles of the 2004 version of the same wine, this time for about 25$ a bottle, at cost. It’s not showing with the same fruit, or pizazz–in fact quiet bland, but seemed to open up in its first tasting, at the end(again, tight nose, seems common w/sangioveses?). I’m afraid to open the other two bottles, if only to admit fully a possible mistake. Perhaps I should be decanting these for at least a couple of hours? Anyhow, these are ‘well constructed’ wines–it seems a very seasoned hand has crafted them to make subtle, enjoyable wines. Not the most challenging, either, but ok if you know that’s what you’re getting. FWI–your blending and comments were spot on, and hilarious. If my abuella can douse her Malbec with aqua con gas, you certainly can mix and match Sangiovese!
April 11, 2008

chenrys
Can’t like them all, it seems.

QOTD: Last was a blend, mostly Sangiovese, Altesino Di Rosso.
April 11, 2008

SJR
yes, had some good recent experiences with a Canadian version made by Inniskillin, part of their international series. Liked it so much the first time I bought another bottle on my next visit to The Wine Rack!
April 11, 2008

TxBigD
D’argenzio Sangiovese mmmmmmm…
April 11, 2008

JÃ¸rn Idar
QOTD; Way too little Sangiovese… :-S No excuse.