Pietra Santa Sangiovese Cienega Valley 2010

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Cienega Valley

Varietal Sangiovese

Retail Price $18

ABV 14.5%

Score 5 Stars/98 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, burgundy red color with just a bit of transparency.

Aromatics

The aromatics are wildly complex with scents of ripe and dry red berries in the lead at one passing and then pepper, leather, earth, and brown baking spices take center stage. You can nose this wine for hours.

Flavor

The palate is lush and silky without being the slightest bit heavy or flabby as it is blessed with a generous dose of fresh, vibrant acidity that helps accentuate the complex melange of oak, earth, dried herb, and brown baking spices that flank the fruit core.

Intensity & Texture

Wonderfully generous with perfect balance thanks to the bright acidity and subtle tannin structure.

Cool Factor

I am a confessed Sangiovese fanatic. Sadly, most domestic versions fall far short of the Italian standards. When you encounter a flawless version like the Pietra Santa Sangiovese it nearly brings a tear to your eye.

Value Grade

It's world-class and it's under $20. What more do you need to know? This is a tremendous value as it is every drop as good as a topflight Riserva Chianti.

Analysis

I once asked Pietra Santa's winemaker, Alessio Carli to name his favorite grape. “My favorite Italian varietal is certainly Sangiovese. I’m originally from Siena and when I was living in Italy, I started making wine with Sangiovese. Carli went on to work at top Tuscan estates honing his craft. He is simply a Sangiovese expert and he's pretty damn exceptional with every other varietal.

How to Enjoy

Be sure to decant this wine for an hour to discover its full potential. It will certainly cellar well for a decade. Drink this beauty with a rich tomato sauce based dish, grilled meat, braised lamb, or aged Parmesan.