When we offered Muscardini Cellars’ Sangiovese on WineHeist, we weren’t sure how our customers would react to a traditional Italian variety grown in California. We were stunned at the hugely enthusiastic response to this wonderful wine, so we jumped at the chance to offer you Muscardini’s "TESORO", based upon the not-so-traditional, but very Italian "Super-Tuscans". Super-Tuscans arose when Italian winemakers (in Tuscany, of course) began planting French varieties like Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah, often blending them with the native Sangiovese, resulting in stunning, world-class wines that were a little bit French, but still very Italian in style. Muscardini has captured this spirit here in California, with their Tesoro, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Syrah from some of Sonoma’s finest vineyards.
The 2008 Muscardini Tesoro is brilliant ruby in color, with stunning clarity. The nose is primary at this young age, with sour cherry, Concord grape, and floral aromas. The palate is loaded with black cherry, currant, and raspberry. This is a full-bodied wine, with wonderful intensity and great length on the palate. The acid from the Sangiovese really keeps things in balance, and allows the Tesoro to pair gracefully with food. As with many blended wines, a little time in the cellar will really allow this to come into its own, though if you appreciate fresh, fruit forward wines, it is drinking well today. A wine of this pedigree merits its price tag of $47, so to be able to get some at the incredible WineHeist price of $33 is an opportunity not to be missed. Pick up a few bottles, lay them down and drink them over the next few years, and you will be very glad you did!
Vineyards: Monte Rosso Vineyard, Ty Caton, Deerfield Ranch
Appellation: Sonoma County
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: Sangiovese 44%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Syrah 26%
pH: 3.60
Alcohol: 14.89
Bottled: August 27, 2009
Cases Produced: 614
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
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