2015 Sangiovese Alegría Vineyards

Highly Recommended - Gabe Sasso

Tasting Notes

Bright, inviting aromas of cherry, plum, and strawberry meld with a splash of citrus and smoky oak. The smooth entry reveals buoyant acidity and tart cherry, cranberry, and dark berry that mingle with hints of black tea and fine herbs. A creamy mocha essence adds depth in the finish. Crisp, refreshing acidity and a balance of tannins and oak make this Sangiovese ideal to pair with most cuisines.

Winemaker's Notes

In 1990, we were delighted to find old Sangiovese vines inter-planted with our Alegría Heritage Vines Zinfandel (planted in 1950 by Americo Rafanelli). We used cuttings from those vines to plant our west-facing hillside in 1992, along with 22 other distinct selections of Sangiovese, and two other Tuscan grapes traditionally blended with Sangiovese—Canaiolo (for fruitiness) and Mammolo (for aroma).

Our 22nd vintage of Sangiovese reflects the field blend and our cool Russian River Valley climate that give the wine a food-friendly, Italianate balance of tannins and acidity. The cool climate assures that we get well-developed flavors without over-ripeness. 2015 gave us an early harvest and a relatively light crop.

After a three-day cold soak unlocked the grapes’ rich, concentrated flavors and aromas, native yeast started, and Brunello yeast completed, the fermentation. Bill selected a combination of oak barrels to further enhance aroma and flavor. During barrel aging, we stirred the lees monthly to enhance mouthfeel. Hungarian barrels added subtle notes of cinnamon, cola, mocha, and toasted walnuts.

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