But first, our gratitude to the thousands of first responders and fire fighters who have nearly contained the wildfires that exploded in Napa and Sonoma 11 days ago. We are grateful to have been spared, but others are less fortunate. If you can help by visiting or buying Napa and Sonoma wines and/or making a donation, please do.
On to the title topic.
We are often asked how our Sangiovese ages. Herewith the recent tasting notes on Villa Ragazzi's first vintage, 1989, offered by a new friend. Tom Hill is a southern CA computational physicist who pays a lot of attention to Italian varietals grown here, Nebbiolo in particular.
"Broke into a box of old Sangios last night and this was the best. I was not expecting much from this wine and was quite pleasantly surprised how good it was. I haven't tried their Sangio in many a year and should remedy that. This Villa Ragazzi offered up some real pleasure w/my Grano Arso pasta. Tasting notes:
Villa Ragazzi Sangiovese Rodeno Vnyd/Napa Valley (13%) 1989: Med.color w/some bricking; rather earthy/dusty light cherry/black cherry/Sangio bit pencilly/old Chianti/rustic/oak complex interesting nose; [on the palate] some complex flavor, med. long rather tart/tangy light cherry/black cherry/Sangio light toasty oak slight pencilly/rustic/rough/earthy complex finish w/light smooth tannins; showing its age and lost most of its fruit; on the downside but still offers up some pleasure."
Based on Tom's notes and our own experience w/older vintages of our Sangiovese (see "Age" posted 9.24.2011), I surmise that 15-20 years is a reasonable range for cellaring Villa Ragazzi. That said, still alive at 28 years isn't bad for a first attempt with this challenging, rewarding variety. Cheers!
On to the title topic.
We are often asked how our Sangiovese ages. Herewith the recent tasting notes on Villa Ragazzi's first vintage, 1989, offered by a new friend. Tom Hill is a southern CA computational physicist who pays a lot of attention to Italian varietals grown here, Nebbiolo in particular.
"Broke into a box of old Sangios last night and this was the best. I was not expecting much from this wine and was quite pleasantly surprised how good it was. I haven't tried their Sangio in many a year and should remedy that. This Villa Ragazzi offered up some real pleasure w/my Grano Arso pasta. Tasting notes:
Villa Ragazzi Sangiovese Rodeno Vnyd/Napa Valley (13%) 1989: Med.color w/some bricking; rather earthy/dusty light cherry/black cherry/Sangio bit pencilly/old Chianti/rustic/oak complex interesting nose; [on the palate] some complex flavor, med. long rather tart/tangy light cherry/black cherry/Sangio light toasty oak slight pencilly/rustic/rough/earthy complex finish w/light smooth tannins; showing its age and lost most of its fruit; on the downside but still offers up some pleasure."
Based on Tom's notes and our own experience w/older vintages of our Sangiovese (see "Age" posted 9.24.2011), I surmise that 15-20 years is a reasonable range for cellaring Villa Ragazzi. That said, still alive at 28 years isn't bad for a first attempt with this challenging, rewarding variety. Cheers!
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