Sangiovese

In Italy, the history of Carmignano winegrowing dates back to 1716 when Cosimo III de' Medici granted the area special legal protections. In the 1500’s the queen of France sent cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux to Carmignano. This wine is made from a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from certified organic vineyards, and fifth-generation winemaker Benedetta Contini Bonacossi crafts a wine that offers subdued fruit of stewed prunes, black cherry, boysenberry, and resin. There is solid acidity and tannic structure to make this workable with a variety of foods.

Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, dried tea leaves, and some spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is a bit tired and past prime but still with something to offer.  Cherries, dried cherries aand forest floor notes along with some old leather.  Moderate finish.  This is better with food at this point.  It will work well with a nice plate of pasta.  Drink up.  

Perhaps the top Chianti available, this wine is always good especially from such a great vintage as 2016.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, hay, anise and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, bold cherries, slight sour cherries, char and slight tea leaves.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but still on the young side.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but really begs for food.  Pasta with bolognaise sauce is perfect.

This is a blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, black cherries and sandalwood. Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  On the palate, tart cherries and some cherries.  moderate finish.  This wine really needs food.  Some simple pasta or pizza would work.  Drink over the next few years.

Classic Brunello from a stellar vintage.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose opens quickly showing cherries, cranberries, sandalwood, and slight tea leaves.  full bodied.  Strong backbone of acidity.  On the palate, cherries with slight black cherries.  Firm tannins.

This is a big, modern-styled Brunello that is absolutely delicious.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, clear and bright.  The nose is powerful with black cherries, baking spices, cedar and slight tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Nice acidity.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some spice/oak.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  This is not yet at peak but close.  As the oak and tannins integrate, this may yet improve even more.  That said, no harm drinking now.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  Osso Buco would be a great choice.  

Ruby to deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, tea leaves, some baking spice and roasted herbs.  Great texture; juicy but plush.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries over spice and charred herbs.  Good acidity.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  This seems to be just on the younger side of peak.  Very tasty.  It should drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.  A nice match with Lamb Ragout.  

This is a big, modern styled Brunello.  It is also outstanding.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, forest floor, sandalwood and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, plenty of oak coming off as spice and chocolate but plenty of cherry and black cherry fruit.  This bottle is still youthful but getting close to maturity.  Depth.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This drink great on its own and need some heavier food right now.  Short ribs with Polenta seems like it would work well.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

Very nice showing for this wine.  It has the reputation (fueled by its 15% abv?) of being a bruiser but at this stage in its life, showed plenty of refinement.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight sandalwood, slight tea leaves and an interesting rosemary note.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, cherries, slight black cherries, hint of soy with a bit of char.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This may still improve but either way has another ten to twenty years left of good drinking.  It drinks nicely on its own b

This is Sangiovese from the excellent 2016 vintage.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, tea leaves and spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has nice cherries with slight sour cherries and a hint of forest floor.  Some anise on the long finish.  This wine is meant for food.  A plate of pasta with marinara sauce would be great.  Drink over the next five years.