2007 Vino Noceto Sangiovese- USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Shenandoah Valley (2/6/2010)
Easily the best domestic Sangiovese I’ve ever had. Medium body and delicately framed. Bright red fruits with some cherry and cranberry notes. Graceful, delicate texture. It doesn’t wow you with anything in particular, due to its balance. But as the finish lingers on, you can’t help but think, “this is really enjoyable”. I had this open for three days and was still vibrant down to the last sip, probably kept fresh by its acidity. Enjoyed this so much I’m fighting the urge to join a club and have them ship me a case every year. (91 pts.)
Agree about their Sangioveses, and I’ve also liked their “Frivolo” - a frizzante style lower-alcohol Moscato Bianco (might be blended with Orange Muscat?) that’s great for the warmer days ahead.
Haven’t had this producer’s wines in several years, but back in my California days I remember really liking them for value and good old school flavor. Nice to see this note.
The owners, the Gulletts, are good people in addition to making good wine. My Mom grows for them just down the road from their winery (the Reward Ranch bottling). We let the original contract lapse many years ago and just trust them to pay what is fair every year–and they always do so.
Me too, thanks joe. This bottle was only $15 at K&L Wines in SF. Enjoyed it more than many California “value” wines in the $25+ range.
Its interesting…for a bottle from California in the $12 - $20 range, my hope/expectation is just that I hope its drinkable, resembles the varietal a little and doesn’t suck too bad.
With the same price range from Southern/Central Italy (and this one) it shows really good wine can be made at these price points. So, why can’t California do the same thing?
Great to hear…exactly the type of folks I like to support. Might just have to sign up for that case/year now.
Glad to hear that. I understand that it has sold very well for them, but that they are cutting back on their single vineyard bottlings. This probably means that we’ll go back to just being part of the Reserva rather than a vineyard designate.
I’m doing my best not to commit to a case a year, but this was so good for the price is seems crazy not to. Seems a smart move to consolidate bottlings. They have so many different Sangiovese offerings, hard to sort through them. As good as this one was, wonder how much better they could be with more material for blending.
i really like the SV Sangiovese wines they make. from a visit fall 2008:
the four 2005 SV Sangiovese wines available today were: Hillside, Marmellata, Reward Ranch and Dos Oakies.
tried the Hillside 1st and right away you knew you were into a different sort of bottle. sublime but approachable, a wine that can easily stand by itself and yet accompany either simple or elegant food. easily enjoyable on several levels. i bought 2 bottles.
Marmellata comes from Biondi Santi Brunello clones (Sangiovese Grosso) but was a bit too unctuous for me when i consider this varietal. they were S-O of this SV wine and this bottle i tasted from was open for awhile so maybe a bit oxidized? definitely one i’d like to taste again.
loved the Reward Ranch, really bright and friendly, totally approachable and delicious. this is the only SV Sangio they make from non-estate fruit. this vineyard has been managed by the same family for 3 decades and faces due S on the hill overlooking Vino Noceto and Terre Rouge. easy 2 bottle buy.
last bottle we tasted, and i had to suck up a bit to get this one uncorked, was the Dos Oakies - a favorite of the staff. this comes from 1987 vines and is a Brunello Clone from Il Poggione. right away you can tell as this wine is super elegant and yet expressive and fun - not all structure and tannin. bought 2 bottles.
these bottles were all approaching $30 each and Marmellata maybe a few dollars more.
since that visit i have been there many times are become a real Marmellata fan. just came away with 6 2006 Mags for like $260 last time i was there, super hot summer but the wines tasted really well put together when i was there.
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