Sangiovese

Chianti Classico RISERVA 2003 0,75l

90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet.
Top of the line!

Maturation: In large oak barrels and barriques (225Lt), for 15 months, followed by a minimum of 6 months in bottle.

Tradition and a little innovation combine to produce a wine of excellent structure with pure fruit tastes balanced by the richness of the oak. The vineyard is over 20 years old with very low yields and excellent grape quality, thus ensuring power and very good ageing potential. The wine can be drunk when released or matured further for several years.

Chianti Classico – red 0,75l
The Classic!

90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino

Maturation: 7 months in medium sized oak casks 25-75 hl., followed by a minimum of 4 months in bottle.

A traditional grape mix, producing a well-structured fruit driven wine with a deep attractive color, the use of large oak barrels ensures a classic style. Vibrant red colors. Ripe, fruity wine, with balancing acidity. Sweet black cherry flavors, with a soft touch of tannins, giving a juicy, but dry wine. Lovely, easy wine, full of fruit, with just a hint of spice. The name of the vineyard is taken from an historical house on the estate.

60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet, 10% Merlot
“The Hill of the Black Berries”
International Class by Wine Spectator (91 points),
limited production.

Maturation: In small oak barrels for 18-24 months.

The Tuscan Pearl! The most full bodied wine in the Vicchiomaggio range. All the vines are over 20 years old and strictly pruned, ensuring that yields are extremely low. A big yet elegant wine with pepper, spices and sweet fruit. Full boadied and vibrant when released, will mature over many years and become deep and complex. Limited production ensures that this wine will always be a much sought rarity!

Sangiovese (san-joe-VAY-zee) is the go-getter grape of Italy, grown in virtually every province. In Tuscany (Central Italy) where it originated, endless sunshine and well drained mineral soils push it to sublime heights in wines like Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti. Chianti is a blend of different grapes where Sangiovese plays a supporting role, whereas unblended—as it is in Brunello—it provides an intense, vibrant richness. Selection International Italian Sangiovese has a wonderful bright red cherry character overlaying strawberry notes with hints of violets and white pepper. It has medium body and a long, wonderfully smooth, tannic finish; livened by a zing of acidity and toasty oak and as always, a touch of the Tuscan earth. Harvest conditions: Brix 21.8°, pH 3.55, TA 5.00g/l. Similar Styles: Selection Chianti and Pinot Noir. Food Pairings: Wonderfully food-friendly, Sangiovese is great with veal Parmigiana, pasta with garlic and oil, pizza, blue cheese, Fontina cheese, and fruits such as cherries, figs, plums, and raspberries. Sweetness Code: 0 (dry). Body: Medium. Alcohol by Volume: 12 per cent. Oak: 60 gram Toasted Oak. Ageing: Easy to drink young, this wine will open up and express much of its character after six months of ageing.

Errazuriz Estate Sangiovese 2005 Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Tasting Notes
This is a wine of immediate appeal with enticing aromas and flavors. The wine is ruby red in color with luminous reflections. The intense bouquet releases flavors of ripe fruit such as cherry, plum and blackberry, accentuated by hints of spices. A medium-bodied wine with soft tannins, it is to be enjoyed while young and fresh. Its racy acidity pairs perfectly with a wide variety of foods, including pork, beef and duck as well as creamy pasta dishes.

The Grape
Etymologists believe that this red grape’s name is derived from “Sanguis Jovis”, which means “the Blood of Jove/Jupiter”. Its beginnings are thought to predate Roman times, and today is one of the most widely cultivated grape varieties in Italy.

Regional Notes
Danzante Sangiovese is sourced from Hillside vineyards in the Marche region, east of Tuscany, where the nearby Adriatic Sea guarantees a temperate climate. The deep, clay soils and southern exposure result in grapes of intense and spicy flavor. With an annual production of over 2 million hectoliters, the Marche region is one of Italy’s most important wine growing regions.

Winemaking
Grapes are hand-selected at optimum ripeness in October. The wine is then fermented in stainless steel tanks at approximately 30 C (86 F) until dry. The fermentation lasts approximately ten days, followed by seven days of extended skin contact to enhance the extraction of varietal complexity. Malolactic fermentation and 10 months aging in stainless steel tanks softens and rounds the wine. The wine is not aged in oak, keeping the focus on the pure expression of the character.

Casanova della Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova Sangiovese 2006 750ML

Giorgio Rivetti’s magic touch with Moscato, Barbera and then Nebbiolo took the world by storm. He produces approachable yet age-worthy wines that capture the attention of wine critics and consumers year in and year out with their lushness, concentration, aromatics and length. Casanova della Spinetta is located in the hills south of Pisa in the heart of Tuscany where the vineyards enjoy the strong summer sun and the soft breezes wafting off the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Sangiovese and Colorino make up the Il Nero di Casanova blend. The name means “the black one” and refers not only to the deep dark color of the wine, but also to how old-timers in Tuscany call their red wine.

Country: ITALY
Region: TUSCANY
Grape Varietal: COLORINO,SANGIOVESE
Type: Still wine

I’m not much of a disciplined or organised taster and I tend to think that wine should be tasted at home or in a more casual environment as opposed to walking about in a white coat sniffing and spitting. It’s the environment in which most people will drink the wine after all so it works for me. It does restrict my throughput mind you, but at least not at the expense of thoroughness. To this end I generally like to have around about six bottles open each night – maybe three whites and three or four reds and some of the carry over champions from the previous night that are up for a re-taste. Lots of bottles. Anyway, I had a quick snort of this (Riedel Chianti glass) whilst cooking dinner (not Fish ‘n Chips but Egg ‘n Chips this time) and I thought “Oooh that goes all right..if only I was cooking Italian tonight – Sausage ‘n Chips”.

It offers concentrated cherry and berry fruit, licorice, smoke, a bit of meatiness, potpourri and lots of interest. It’s medium to full bodied with dark cherry, dark chocolate and spice mingling with more meaty savoury flavours. It has delightfully rustic chunky tannins and an abundance of character. It’s entirely vinous, thoroughly enjoyable and (over) delivers the goods at this price point.

Other vintages : 2005
Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : May08
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $15
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 – 2010
Source : Winery Sample
Visit winery website

As a country, Australia has been blessed with ideal wine growing conditions: climate, terroire and the overall know-how. There is no doubt that Australian wine makers have captivated the wine lovers all over the world – even more so in the United Kingdom. The Australian top five export markets by volume and value are: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

About 1/3 of all wines produced in Australia are Chardonnay, followed closely by Shiraz, then Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot is merely 9 %, and Semillon a distant 5% of all total.

There is, however, a new kid on the block that is making its mark on the Australian wine scene, the Sangiovese. Originating from Tuscany, this grape is the most planted red-wine vine in Italy.

Like many other European grapes before it, Sangiovese is finding its way and making ground in Australia, gradually delivering great results. It is often in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon but also with Shiraz. However, my pick of the day is wine made solely from 100% Sangiovese.

Sangiovese makes a well knitted, structured and balanced wine with cherries and plumy flavours. So, please be adventurous, and be on the look out for some interesting Aussie Sangiovese.

Clover Hill Sangiovese, 2006
A medium-bodied wine with classic flavours of cherry and plum with toast American oak undertones. Soft on the palate with a pleasant finish.
Region: Northern Tasmania
Price: £8.99

Dromana Estate Sangiovese, 2006
A well structured wine with layers of dark fruits and tobacco, lively acidity and integrated tannins.
Region: Mornington Peninsula
Price: £8.99

Mitolo Jester Sangiovese Rose, 2007
Vibrant Rose with purple hues. Crisp berry fruits on the nose, fresh and lively.
Region: McLaren Vale
Price: £9.49

Step Road Sangiovese, 2006
This wine has a good depth of black fruit flavour; it is smooth and silky. Its nose opens up to a savoury characteristic.
Region: Langhorne Creek
Price: £9.99

Garry Grittenden Sangiovese, 2006
Medium to full bodied red wine, packed with red and blackberries aromas. Good depth, rich and lush on the palate with a long finish.
Region: Victoria
Price: £10.99