Pride Mountain Vineyards Sangiovese (500ML) 2001
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As everyone in California knows, I have little respect for most California Sangiovese. However, there are exceptions, and Pride Mountain's is one of them. The problem is, they only make two barrels (50 cases), so I will keep my notes brief. The greatest northern California Sangiovese, the 2001 Sangiovese blows away its competition. Strawberry jam, tobacco leaf, plum, and fig characteristics skip and hop to the beat of a large orchestra in this bottle that is available only in 500ml formats. Drink this knock-out 2001 over the next 5-7 years. It will make anyone believe that Sangiovese as well as Merlot are not always the great red wine rip offs of California.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.