Tag Archives: Sangiovese 2010

Childress Sangiovese Gianni Vineyards 2010

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You may remember that I posted not too long ago about my visit to Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina.  They have a full complement of selections to choose from, but I left with a bottle of their Sangiovese in hand.  I was a little surprised to learn from the Childress folks that the grapes for this wine were grown in a vineyard just a few miles from the winery itself.  North Carolina Sangiovese?  I seriously had to give it a try!

Winemaker:  Childress Vineyards
Wine:  Sangiovese Gianni Vineyards
Varietal:  Sangiovese
Vintage:  2010
Appellation:  North Carolina
Price: $16.99

Notes:  You know how some garnets as well as raw steaks have a red coloring with a brown overtone?  That was the color of this Childress.  The bouquet held scents of tart red berries, pepper, wood, and a touch of must.  It was light-bodied with a definite viscosity on the tongue.  Tannins were quite gentle, and acidity was quite high.  Alcohol was at 13.5%.  On the tongue I found it very peppery with bright cherry and raspberry, a light oakiness, some jalapeno pepper and quinine on the close.  I enjoyed this selection.  The very present acidity – which brought those touches of jalapeno – reminded me more of a Garnacha than the typical Sangiovese.

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Wine From Under The Tuscan Sun

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No, this isn’t about wine that was drunk in the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun.”  I’m talking about wine from grapes grown under the Tuscan sun.  I mentioned previously that I am trying to learn more about the Sangiovese grape.  To that end, I’m searching for reasonably-priced selections of wines that are 100% Sangiovese.  In order to find those wines, it looks like I’m going to have to search beyond my usual wine-buying haunts.  I have found a few, to be sure, but the majority of the Sangiovese options on the shelf are a Chianti blend which doesn’t serve my purpose of learning about Sangiovese alone.  Chianti will be another vein of viniferous gold to explore, and I think I’ll be better prepared for that venture by my current endeavors.  I hope so, anyway.  I found this Pratesi at one of our local boutique wine shops.  This was the only varietal Sangiovese they had.  (Although they did have a Chianti they indicated was all Sangiovese.  I may have to go back for that one.)  Of course, there were plenty of other awesome wines.  But I am on a quest of sorts.  lol

Winemaker:  Pratesi
Wine: Locorosso
Varietal:  Sangiovese
Vintage: 2010
Appellation: Toscana, Italy IGT
Price: $17.99 at Grateful Red Wines

Notes:  This Sangiovese varietal wine was dark purple in color.  On the nose I found plenty of pepper, raspberry, plum and some spice notes.  It was light-bodied with decent acidity, slight tannins, and 13% alcohol.  Flavors I encountered in this Tuscan offering were sweet raspberry, oak, a dash of pepper, and green herbs on the finish.  I think this is a selection that might be a candidate for that glass of wine at the end of a long day.  It’s fairly straightforward, with a light, pleasant flavor profile.

D’Aquino Gaetano Sangiovese di Toscana 2010

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Not a Chianti, but rather a 100% Sangiovese from Tuscany.

Winemaker: Gaetano D’Aquino
Wine: Sangiovese di Toscana
Vintage: 2010
Appellation: Toscana, Italy IGT
Price: $4.99 at Trader Joe’s

Notes:  Well, now here is another light-bodied red wine to pair with pasta dishes and even light meat dishes.  Once it breathed and settled, it had a core of bright cherry and red currant fruit flavors with plenty of veggie notes.  The light but definite tannins gave this selection a nice peppery bite at the end which is why I think it can stand up to some meat dishes.  Acidity seemed good, and alcohol is at 12.5%.  On first pour, however, this one came across as almost vegetal with a very tart cherry accompaniment in the background.  If your preference is the fruit flavors in a wine, I’d open it at least a good half hour before serving.

Important:  I am not a professional sommelier or wine connoisseur.  See “About” for the full disclaimer.