Notes of black cherry, violets, and dried lavender mingle with notes of Sangiovese’s signature earthy notes of clay in the wine’s intriguing bouquet. On the palate, the wine is bright with mouthwatering acidity and dusty yet supple tannins. The wine has lingering notes of dried red fruit and a persistent finish.
See something unusual on your Venom cork or in the wine after opening? It’s a deposit of quercetin, and is actually quite common in 100% Sangiovese wines (and often in Merlot, too). In Italy it’s something they see much more frequently and may be one of the historical reasons why the Chianti vineyards were commonly planted as field blends. Rest assured, it is not a dangerous compound or a sign of spoilage; rather, it is a powerful antioxidant (and an expensive supplement at the health food store). Read more about the curious phenomenon here.
Earthy and savory dishes such as mushroom and sausage risotto, duck confit and chicken cacciatore would be sublime pairings with this wine
Growing and producing world-class Sangiovese is not for the faint of heart. Rattlesnakes, thistle and America’s most unique clone of Sangiovese are all that thrive atop Rattlesnake Hill on our Home Ranch. The 40% slope, shallow topsoil and virtually impenetrable volcanic shale are the perfect antidote for taming this vigorous varietal into producing intensely flavored grapes. The clone, planted in 1910 by Edoardo Seghesio in America’s oldest Sangiovese vineyard, produces small-berried, loosely formed clusters. This wine is 100% Sangiovese from Rattlesnake Hill on our Home Ranch estate in Alexander Valley.
