2008 Sangiovese, Koelmel Vineyard

Lamorinda (Contra Costa County)

As many of you know, the Sangiovese grapes tended by Mark and Kris Koelmel are some of the older vines in the Lamorinda region (at least 14 years old in 2008). They were planted to the same clone that has been isolated in the Montalcino area of Tuscany that contribute 100% of the fruit for the famed Brunello di Montalcinos (also our Golden Retriever, Bruny's namesake). Our 2008 version, the third year we've produced this wine, represents the darkest, richest, most decadent edition yet, and is as true a replica of the noble Tuscan wine as California-grown Sangiovese can produce.

The color appears to be a dark, blood red, with huge, beautiful aromas of dark cherries and plums, with a bit of sweet caramel, all spice, and tobacco leaf springing forward that can't be contained in the glass. The wine doesn't seem to possess as much earthiness as previous vintages, but still with enough of the obligatory rustic notes to be reminiscent of the real-deal, old-world versions.

 The palate is loaded with opulent expansive flavors of rich red fruits, complemented by refreshing acidity and soft tannins that envelope the palate and lead to a lengthy, luxuriant finish that leave the mouth watering for a bite of veal scallopini with a mushroom cream sauce or a rosemary-roasted chicken. Then again, this wine is light and versatile enough to enjoy with a great pizza. It's drinking fun and fabulously now, but experience from our 2006 and 2007 Sangioveses show that it will continue to evolve and improve for several years, possibly lasting up to a couple decades with attentive cellaring.