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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April 11, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Interesting show, love Sangiovese, your blend at the end made sense.

Q-Always trying to, love Italian wines in general. Had a nice Chianti the other day, Nipazzanno(spelling??) I think.
April 11, 2008

Jimmyrice14
He’s dead on about sangiovese…my favorite old world wine but the rossa’s are way too young…even the brunello’s that are aged for five years need another few years after release…i bought a lot of 01 brunello’s and have tasted only a few because they need a lot of time…looking forward to 2011 when they are drinking up to their high 90’s ratings.
April 10, 2008

spyder47
Tres decepciones! No Mott T-shirt and two crappy wines.
Thanks for the tip on avoiding young Sangiovese though.
April 10, 2008

Pastore
I drink as much Sangiovese as possible!
April 10, 2008

jennepenne
I thought it was a great show. I was watching with some friends one night and they wondered if there were ever any wines you don’t like. Hearing you talk about negative qualities in wine helps complete the picture.
thanks
April 10, 2008

Kelly
I am fond of Barboursville (Virginia) Sangiovese. They also make a good Barbera.
April 10, 2008

Ben F
Great Show GV love the Wizardary at the end!!! I have had a couple of CA Sangiovese’s that i enjoyed but i can’t remember the names
April 10, 2008

Mike
Muscardini Cellars in CA. I thought it was really good. I have not tried a lot of Sango’s but I liked what I tasted at Muscardini’s
April 10, 2008

bob Volatile
Any good Sangiovese?….you must be kidding!…Altesino, Valdicava, are spectacular….In California, try Del Dotto…………Ciao
April 10, 2008

Donna Marie
QOTD: It’s been a while…..a ‘99 Villa Cafaggio Reserve Chianti Classico stands out–beautifully balanced and some Cal-Itals such as Matanzas Creek and Garguilo.
April 10, 2008

Origin
Still a fun show to watch! And just as importantly, is that just because a wine isn’t great, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it!
April 9, 2008

Brad K
Best Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino is Donatella Cinelli Colombini!
April 9, 2008

elron
T. Holland, I love stouts and heavy beer myself too! Started off with what they call half and half years ago then went to lighter and now back to heavy again. The thicker the better; throw some mud in there! I gave my cousin the BCS and he didn’t like it. He said he’ll stick to his lite(water to me) beers.

Congrats to you!
April 9, 2008

jaydanahy
Shows like this make me trust you more, Gary…that show brought the lightning.
April 9, 2008

Johnnyutah
Im really high on Italy right now…there is just so much there! Recently had a Sangiovese/Cab Franc blend from Bolgheri that was delicious. The 2001 Caparzo Brunello brings it as well.
April 9, 2008

Cliff and Darcey
Don’t apologize; showing us what is NOT bringing the thunder is easily as important as showing what DOES bring it! Now we all know what to expect from these two! THANKS!
April 9, 2008

Andy & Edie
Useful content of today’s show: 71
Entertainment value: 92!
Can’t win ‘em all Gary. Fun to watch as always though. Haven’t had a Sangiovese for a while now, but I did have a great Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo last week.
April 9, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
I have not had one Luna wine I liked so I’m not surprised by this one. If I want Sangiovese I will really like it has to be Brunello. I have had a few CA Sangiovese wines that were OK but not the same quality.
April 9, 2008

R M Kriete
Loved the show today…..been there many times….open a wine and Yuck! Open a different wine and ….meh!
April 9, 2008

Colin
Dude – When you whipped out the Mr. Wizard, I lost it! You kill. QOTD – No. My QOTD – Why the hell not?!
April 9, 2008

NC Carl
NO, meh
April 9, 2008

Karl Laczko
No Mott T-Shirt? No fair, give the Mottster his due!

Mad at Sangiovese, poor Gary……

QOTD – I haven’t had a full blooded Sangiovese in nearly a year, although I had a Sicilian Nero d’Avola – Sangiovese belnd on Monday, and it was good.
April 9, 2008

Jon
Viansa Thalia has always been good for me. Its a Sonoma winery founded by Sebastiani. They also have a very good Piccolo.

Gary, get a bottle for a true Battle Royal.
April 9, 2008

Taylor
Interesting show. Real bummed about the Mott shirts, but life goes on.
QOTD I haven’t tried sangiovese, but I would like to, just not either on today’s show.
April 9, 2008

JonBLodi
Our favorite Sangioveses are from Italy – of course! – including Castello di Brolio and La Fortuna.

There is one – and only ONE, I’m afraid – producer in California that really gets it: Vino Noceto in the Sierra Foothills near Plymouth. The terrain is remarkably similar to Chianti Classico, which is Jim Gullet’s inspiration. Plus… They’re actually affordable!