Tuscany is known for Sangiovese, a grape that expresses itself in wide array of character ranging from fresh and light to richly complex. This Saturday we’ll be exploring a few examples of this multi-charactered grape as well as a few other specimens of Tuscan Terroir. Stop in and join us.
2016 San Felice, Vermentino Perolia $13
85% Vermentino, 15% Sauvignon Blanc
Vermentino from southern Tuscany – blended with a little Sauvignon Blanc to add aromatic complexity. The Perolia is an incisive white with crisp apple, citrus and gently herbal characters. The palate has good body and a creamy texture, with lemon, lime, floral notes and a pleasing minerality.
2014 San Felice, Chianti Classico$16
Sangiovese, Colorino, and Pugnitello
This medium-bodied Chianti Classico offers complex, long-lingering aromas, with nuances of dark cherry, raspberry and sweet violets. Appealingly dry, it is smooth, rounded, with a well-balanced and savory palate.
2015 Campogiovanni, Rosso di Montalcino $20
Sangiovese
Savory and spicy from the start, this Rosso di Montalcino offers a unique bouquet that is a notch more complex than your standard Rosso. Along with the cherry and blackberry tones you should expect, you also get a licorice, cola and balsam herb that give the wine its authentic Sangiovese personality. The Palate has ripe fruit flavors of raspberry and blackberry jelly.
2013 Barone Ricasoli, Brolio, Chianti Classico Riserva $30
80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Barone Ricasoli is one of the oldest wineries in Italy, starting in 1141. This wine is made from a selection of estate vineyards. The lands vary much one from another from sandstone to marl, marine deposits, and limestone. The wine has delicate spicy notes of wild berries, cherry and hints of vanilla. The palate has sweet and harmonious tannins in balance with the acidity with a plush mix of black cherry, plum, licorice, tar and tobacco aromas and flavors.
2013 Tenuta Argentiera, Poggio ai Ginepri, Bolgheri Rosso $20
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 20% Merlot & 5% Petit Verdot
Bolgheri is located in the west of Tuscany close to the Lugurian Sea and favors Bordeaux varietals. The Ginepri has a broad and deep olfactory landscape. On the nose, it shows fruity aromas of cherries, plums, fresh blackcurrants with hints of white flowers and typical Syrah pepper notes. The Palate is soft and complex with sweet tannins and an enjoyable freshness and an enjoyable fruity flavor with a spicy underpinning.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.