Gold Medal - American Fine Wine Competition, 2017
VINEYARD
Alice's Vineyard is a sweet little vineyard perfectly planted to grow Sangiovese like the great Brunnelo’s of Montalcino, Italy. All hand tended and very well-loved.
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% Sangiovese.
TASTING NOTES
Opens with lovely aromas of ripe red fruits, dried cranberry, tobacco, nutmeg, and cedar. Generous flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry, allspice, vibrant acidity, firm tannins and a lovely texture. Overall, a classic style of Sangiovese to pair with wide-range of fine Mediterranean Cuisine, including grilled vegetables, charcuterie, grilled fish, pasta, barbecued chicken, pork chops and rare to medium-rare meats.
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Vineyard: Alice's Vineyard
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 14.8
Bottled: December 12, 2015
Cases Produced: 288
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.