Wine Splash!

Italy is a place that has an amazingly long history and I have found it is best to learn about it while enjoying a glass of fantastic Italian wine. The Sangiovese grape is king in Italy and many Italian red wines are made using Sangiovese exclusively or in a blend. Sangiovese means the “blood of Jupiter” and is a well known grape in Tuscany and central Italy. I never realized that Sangiovese was the main component in wines like Chianti, Brunello, Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, Calabrese (in Tuscany), Dolcetto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, and “Super Tuscan” wines like Tignanello. One grape with many different location names. So today I am tasting the Poggio Lucina Rosso di Montalcino 2016 and it is made from 100% Sangiovese. It is produced by the Di Donato family in the southern part of Siena in Tuscany. It spent 1 year in Slavonian oak and French oak barrels and then refined for 4 months in the bottle before releasing it.

In my glass, ruby red in color with violet hues. Wonderful aromas of ripe cherry, cranberry, earth, purple flowers, bakers spices, and oak. Medium to full bodied across the palate, round, with noticeable grippy tannins. Bold flavors of ripe red cherry, cranberry, dusty earth, herbs, and spice. A lovely balance between rich fruit and a rustic, old world style. On the second sip, more dark berry came through with slight notes of anise and raspberry leading to a long, toasty oak finish. Concentrated with layers of flavors that is persistent and delicious! Pair with red meats, dishes with sausage, pastas with meat sauce, Portabella Burger, and aged cheeses. On my music side, pair this wine with the Dave Matthews Band, English Beat, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, or a little Art Blakey. 94 Points from Wine Splash!

Find this wine and more like it at https://wtso.co/2u2wW3U on the Wines Til Sold Out website!