Yesterday evening I served a table of six people this California Siena (80% Sangiovese, 16% Malbec, 4% Zinfandel) against two 95 point pillars for Sangiovese from the much lauded 2010 vintage in Italy – a gran selezione from Chianti and a Brunello di Montalchino, fully expecting the California wannabe to be blown off the table. The color of the Siena went toe to toe with the Italians – deep and dark right to the edge in the glass. The first pitch made by the wines to the drinkers – its aromas – proved to be a wake up call. The Siena knocked it out of the ball park - decisively richer, more nose filling, and utterly enticing. Next the sipped Siena smoothly glided into the mouth, with tasty black cherry and blackberry flavors fanning through and coating every inch. The edge went to the Siena for shear delicious drinkability. The expectation for the finish was that the California might be a tasty fruit bomb, but would be over ripe, over oaked, and flabby from a lack of acidity and tannin – none of which happened. The 10 year old Siena now has zero jam, raisin, chocolate, or cinnamon. The differences here are not favorable for the Italians. The Siena has bright and refreshing acidity as well as being firmly dry, whereas the Italians have a more sour and tart acidity and tannins that leave a more austere feel in the mouth. Bottom line – a clear majority preferred the aged Siena costing well under half as much, myself included.
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Light red wine that pairs well with just about anything. Most guests liked this wine. Ruby red in color, medium bodied. Cherry under tones. Wouldn't go wrong getting this bottle.
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Moist mouth feel, very good table red. Goes well with tomato sauces. Had this with a pecan crusted chicken breast--very good. Does not go well with chocolate.
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This Sangiovese blend was masked by way too much oak. The Hungarian Puncheon is overly noticable. Vanilla flavors covered the nose as well as the tongue. If a fruit can be detected under the oak the cranberry rises through. Tannins are well integrated and this needs no cellaring time.
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Blinded by the Wine (Farpointe Cellar): A fascinating nose of cherry and raspberry, plus a little chocolate and butterscotch. The palate was a mixture of cherry and raspberry jam with some cinnamon and mocha on the finish.
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Bright ruby red with cherry and slight tar aromas; red cherry flavors with subtle earth notes; simple, drinkable, and a decent representation of Sangiovese
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4/19/2015 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points
Yesterday evening I served a table of six people this California Siena (80% Sangiovese, 16% Malbec, 4% Zinfandel) against two 95 point pillars for Sangiovese from the much lauded 2010 vintage in Italy – a gran selezione from Chianti and a Brunello di Montalchino, fully expecting the California wannabe to be blown off the table. The color of the Siena went toe to toe with the Italians – deep and dark right to the edge in the glass. The first pitch made by the wines to the drinkers – its aromas – proved to be a wake up call. The Siena knocked it out of the ball park - decisively richer, more nose filling, and utterly enticing. Next the sipped Siena smoothly glided into the mouth, with tasty black cherry and blackberry flavors fanning through and coating every inch. The edge went to the Siena for shear delicious drinkability. The expectation for the finish was that the California might be a tasty fruit bomb, but would be over ripe, over oaked, and flabby from a lack of acidity and tannin – none of which happened. The 10 year old Siena now has zero jam, raisin, chocolate, or cinnamon. The differences here are not favorable for the Italians. The Siena has bright and refreshing acidity as well as being firmly dry, whereas the Italians have a more sour and tart acidity and tannins that leave a more austere feel in the mouth. Bottom line – a clear majority preferred the aged Siena costing well under half as much, myself included.
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11/29/2014 - mydi wrote: 91 Points
Wonderful blend..full of rich fruit, plums, licorice. Finish goes on forever. Memorable. Great value.
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9/9/2013 - DLeeds wrote: 88 Points
Nice bottle, could be more intense.
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7/1/2010 - shank wrote: 85 Points
Not as vibrant as previous bottles. Drink now!
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10/19/2009 - shank wrote: 88 Points
Continues to be a good choice. Red fruit and well balanced.
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9/30/2009 - williamswhine wrote: 90 Points
Light red wine that pairs well with just about anything. Most guests liked this wine. Ruby red in color, medium bodied. Cherry under tones. Wouldn't go wrong getting this bottle.
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3/7/2009 - brucegolfer wrote: 89 Points
Well balanced, very enjoyable; good fruit/
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8/31/2008 - echiang wrote: 88 Points
Moist mouth feel, very good table red. Goes well with tomato sauces. Had this with a pecan crusted chicken breast--very good. Does not go well with chocolate.
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7/15/2008 - chateaumiller wrote: 84 Points
GOOD
This Sangiovese blend was masked by way too much oak. The Hungarian Puncheon is overly noticable. Vanilla flavors covered the nose as well as the tongue. If a fruit can be detected under the oak the cranberry rises through. Tannins are well integrated and this needs no cellaring time.
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6/1/2008 - bobfrank wrote: 89 Points
Enjoyed with osso buco.
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3/15/2008 - mmurry wrote: 90 Points
Blinded by the Wine (Farpointe Cellar): A fascinating nose of cherry and raspberry, plus a little chocolate and butterscotch. The palate was a mixture of cherry and raspberry jam with some cinnamon and mocha on the finish.
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2/20/2008 - tomsch wrote: 88 Points
Nice cherry nose but a bit light weight for a Sangiovese. Decent drinking wine for the price.
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1/6/2008 - sdatl wrote: 85 Points
Bright ruby red with cherry and slight tar aromas; red cherry flavors with subtle earth notes; simple, drinkable, and a decent representation of Sangiovese
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11/22/2007 - jgoetzin wrote: 85 Points
Bottle breathed for 1 hour. Pleasantly surprised with this wine. Great value for the money.
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10/13/2007 - campbellb5 wrote: 82 Points
A much lighter depth of color than the 2003. Not as much depth of flavor or body than '03. A little more earthy flavor reminiscent of Pinot.
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10/9/2007 - Torchill wrote: 83 Points
Standard bottling, nothing offensive, but nothing special
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6/13/2007 - raadams wrote: 88 Points
Medium-bodied and easy drinking with notes of berries, cherries, a slight floral note, and a touch of oak.
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