Delicate floral notes of violet and lavender mingle with layered notes of red sour cherries, dark chocolate shavings, baking spice and clay earth. On the palate, the wine opens with vibrant acidity, leading to a luscious mid palate and supple, lingering velvety tannins on the 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.
This wine will age exceptionally. Pairs well with mushroom and sausage risotto, duck confit and chicken cacciatore would be sublime pairings with this wine.
Rattlesnake Hill overlooks the Home Ranch and the greater Alexander Valley. As the name suggests, this vineyard is on a rather rugged hill, giving this parcel great drainage. With only 8-16 inches of topsoil and clay soils with varying underlying layers of basalt, sandstone, and serpentine rock, vines have a difficult time surviving.