Aged to perfection and we're LOVIN' it.
Embellished with loads of new French oak, the 2018 vintage was aged in barrel a little longer than previous years. It's more structured and fragrant than most. Harmonious and full on the palate. Ready to go now.
Vineyard
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW). The Sangiacomo Southern Sonoma Vineyard was first planted in 1974. The Sangiacomo family set down roots in the loamy Sonoma soil more than 80 years ago. Respecting what has worked in the past. Implementing new Viticulture practices to improve quality and preserve the environment. The Sangiacomo's are dedicated more than ever to producing Pinot Noirs of nuance and longevity.
Carneros AVA
Located at the base of the Napa Valley and Sonoma County, the two weather conditions that describe the Carneros AVA is windy and foggy. This cool appellation is situated on the northern edge of San Pablo Bay and experiences only moderate rain annually and very thin soils. Fog rolling in from the bay keeps the grapes cool in the strong summer sun—making this a prime growing area for cool-loving varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Winemaking
The fruit was sourced from a small Pommard block of Pinot Noir in the Carneros region just south of the town of Sonoma. Grapes were picked in the darkness of the early morning hours, and immediately subjected to rigorous hand sorting and refinement process. The whole berries were gently delivered to tank. Cold soaks lasted five to seven days, and fermentations were managed via a combination of delestage and pumpovers. Extended maceration ranging from three to four weeks fine-tuned tannin profiles, allowing them to perfect mouth feel and complexity. Fermentations go through malolactic fermentation for added complexity. The result is a generous mouthful of rich, complex Pinot Noir, with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. The wine was aged 15 months in 100% French oak, 60% of which was new.
Analysis
Varietal: 100% Pommard Pinot Noir
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County (Los Carneros)
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Vineyard, Southern Sonoma
Aging: 18 Months in 100% French Oak, 70% New
pH: 3.8 TA: 5.7 g/L
Alcohol: 14.1%
92 Points
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest. Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.
96 Points
Ripe, elegant, and juicy. Opens up with alluring aromas of red and black fruit with notes of roasted espresso, mocha, leather, mineral, fresh sage, savory spices, and cedar fill your glass.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
94 Points
Kirsch, ripe plum and bramble with an undercurrent of star anise and toffee. Earthy, with wild blueberry and classic dusty character, balanced by fine tannins and fresh acidity.
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
Crisp & Refreshing
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
Plush & Velvety
Aromas of wild berries are interlaced with nuances of fresh lavender, dark chocolate truffle, baking spices, and cigar box, with generous flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and fresh currants are layered with hints of cocoa, cassis, allspice, and wild sage.
95 Points
Cherry blossom and raspberry over fresh pomegranate with subtle touches of dried violet and lavender, with notes of spice that carry through to its silky layers, juicy red core, and velvety fine-grained tannins. Embodies bright, high-toned fruit, generous round body, and a silky refined finish.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
Excellent, Great Value!
Aromas of rich cherry, black currant, dark plums, with hints of lightly toasted vanilla, mint and crushed slate. The concentrated flavors further integrate with blackberries, tobacco, anise and earthiness with a balanced oak profile, layered palette, leaving you with its delightful finish.
Big, Bold & Juicy!
Bountiful, lavish and plush with aromas of plum, bramble berry, mocha, cedar, and red currant. Loaded with dark fruit, the mouth is full with a mix of red and dark berry, with notes of dark on the end. There is a touch of espresso, ripe black cherry, and petrichor. Nicely framed by generous French oak.
Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.
Pure, delicious, vibrant with aromas of white peach and wild white plum on the nose, followed by ripe Persian lime, jasmine high times, tart green apple, and crisp star fruit. The mouth centers in with pomelo and ginger lime leading into a mid-palate of fresh squeezed lime over papaya and lime zest on top of light lemon curd.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
94 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with mulled raspberry coursing through and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
93 Points
This elegant Merlot greets the nose with rich aromas of chocolate, maraschino cherry and violets, followed by a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of caramel, cassis and white pepper. Its decadent flavors combine with soft and supple tannins to create a long silky smooth finish.
Jam & Spice!
Elegant, plush, and backed by power and grace. The nose pushes notes of blackberry and mocha, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with pipe tobacco, boysenberry held together by subtle pepper spice.
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