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
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
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.
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.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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.
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