2021 Avivo Ledbetter Family Vineyards Red Wine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

This is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah grown in Lodi, California. The vineyards are farmed regeneratively (Certified Regenerative, and in-transition to Demeter Certified Biodynamic) without the use of glyphosates (RoundUp) or other pre- and post-emergents. Garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose is very tight and took some time top open but eventually shows nice cherry fruit and a bit of wild Thyme. Medium bodied with light tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, the cherries come thru along with a touch of cherry cough syrup. Moderate finish. Overall, this took a couple of hours to open, so make sure to give it time to breathe. It is nice on its own but better with food. This is a nice choice for Pizza night but will also work well with food off the grill. Drink over the next few years.

Grade:

B+

Score:

Vintage:

2021

Current Price:

$24.00USD

2015 Luna Vineyards Canto, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

This is an excellent wine. A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot with grapes from Atlas Peak and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Consumed over two days, this was better on Day 2. Purple in color. On day one, the nose shows black cherries, slight cedar and a clove/bitters quality to it that is very interesting. On the palate, this is not a big, bold wine. Rather, there are plenty of concentrated fruits, mostly cherries and black cherries with a slight bitterness (again in a good way) to it. On Day 2 (re-corked and left on the counter), this wine really open

2020 North Coast Wine Club Sangiovese, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This is made with California grapes, shipped cold to Ohio for production. It is one of the mysteries of wine as to why some many winemakers in California, struggle to produce Sangiovese, while in Tuscany (including Chianti), there are so many good ones and even a few great ones. This is a nice wine but does not resemble the Chianti's in Italy. But, that's ok. Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has dust and black cherries (so far, so good). Medium bodied. On the palate, the acidity does not come thru, but there is plenty of cherry fruit along wit

NV Sean Thackrey Pleiades XI Old Vines, USA, California, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

B+

Sean Thackrey is one of the world's great winemakers who hangs out in Bolinas California. This is basically a field blend of what doesn't make his top Cuvees. Although it is non-vintage, each Cuvee carries a Roman Numeral designate. This is XI, but the current release is XXV. This wine is approximately 16 years old and was really made to be drunk in the first few years. Sometime, however, wines hide in the cellar only to provide a pleasant surprise later on. It was originally claimed to be a blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Carignan, and Barbera, however, DNA testi

2010 Unti Vineyards Rosso del Campo, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is a blend of 67% Barbera and 33% Sangiovese from Sonoma. A very interesting take on "Italian Red". Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, tree bark, and char. Medium bodied. On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with a touch of acidity. A bit of smoke. Nice finish. This worked better with food. It should be consumed over the next three to five years. This worked well with pasta in a tomato sauce.

2020 Pope Valley Sangiovese Brut Rosé, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

This had been purchased at the winery. First time trying a sparkling Sangiovese wine. Deep salmon pink in color. It has a nice mousse with small to medium bubbles, clear and bright. The nose is nice if not expected. Green apples with slight rhubarb and strawberries. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, apples, and slight strawberry notes. Moderate finish. A pleasant wine that will work better with food than on its own. Drink now.

2021 Avivo Ledbetter Family Vineyards Red Wine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

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