96 Points - Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars
VINEYARD
Alpicella Vineyards lies high above Sonoma Valley. This organically farmed, fully sustainable, and dry farmed vineyard has been lovingly hand tended by Dan Sanchez for over 22 years. It is the highest elevated Brunello Clone #6 Sangiovese in America.
VINTAGE
The grapes were hand-picked, rushed to the winery and cold soaked for three days. We used BM-45 premium yeast to ferment, the same yeast used on the great Brunello wines from Italy. 100% Alpicella Sangiovese.
TASTING NOTES
This vintage has lovely aromas of ripe berries, fresh violet, lavender, nutmeg, licorice, and earth. In the glass, the flavors expand with notes of fresh picked blackberry, blueberry, ripe raspberry, sage, clove, and hickory smoked almonds. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish, make this a fantastic wine to serve with artisan cheeses, fresh pasta, risotto with wild mushrooms, lamb meatballs, grilled meats, and other styles of fine Mediterranean cuisine.
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Vineyard: Alpicella Vineyard
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 14.2
Bottled: September 9, 2014
Cases Produced: 320
Exceptional
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with aromas of rich of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, cherry, cassis, tobacco, and hints of lightly toasted vanilla. Delivers a full-bodied palate chock full of black fruits, framed by rich and ripe structured, yet smooth tannins with a bold freshness.