Gold Medal - Orange County Wine Competition, 2013
Voted Best Micro Winery! - California State Fair
Sangiovese is best known as the primary grape of the Chianti region of Italy, but it is slowing growing in acreage in California and elsewhere in the world. Today’s WineHeist comes from a planting on one of Sonoma County’s most famous vineyards, Monte Rosso, planted high above the town of Sonoma in the late 19th century. This site at the southern tip of the Mayacamas Mountains is known for its volcanic soil, and the powerful, structured wines that it produces. The 2010 will be the last release of the Monte Rosso Sangiovese from Muscardini, so don’t miss out on this stunner.
The 2010 Muscardini Monte Rosso Sangiovese is deep ruby in color, with a powerful nose of black berries and cherry, nutmeg, and fig. The palate shows more cherry, with currant and dried herb. Ripe fruit is carried through on the finish with generous acidity. Showing a richer side to sangiovese, this wine brings out the classic flavors that the Monte Rosso vineyard is known for. Don’t miss this last chance at Sangiovese from one of California’s great vineyards.
Appellation: Sonoma County
Vineyard: Monte Rosso Vineyard
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 14.5
Bottled: September 10, 2011
Cases Produced: 398
95 Points
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.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.