Il Granaio 2018, Super Tuscan style Sangiovese blend
Super Tuscan style blend
In Stock
Il Granaio (Italian for The Barn) is our bottling of a "Super Tuscan" style wine; Sangiovese blended with nontraditional varietals. Our 2017 Il Granaio is 75% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc. The wine was barrel aged for 26 months to integrate the varietals and add depth. Though ready to drink in the near term, its rich, ripe flavors will reward further cellaring.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Sangiovese
Appellation
Dry Creek Valley
Harvest Date
9/18/2018
Sugar
23.74 (at harvest)
Acid
6.4 g/L
pH
3.50
Aging
25 months in 27% new French oak barrels, 73% 5-12 year-old neutral oak barrels
Bottling Date
11/12/2020
Residual Sugar
0
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Subtle aromas of earth and minerality mingle with
a mix of dark fruit, notes of spicy cedar and traces
of eucalyptus. A smooth entry and mouthfeel are
staccatoed with just the right amount of spice and
mouthwatering acidity, which frame flavors of cherry,
plum and a mixture of red and dark berries. The
long finish highlights Bing cherry and a hint of dark
chocolate amid the luscious acidity.
Production Notes
Each spring, Jamie and I assess the previous vintage
of Sangiovese and begin the process of deciding the
blend for that year’s Il Granaio. In blending, we are
guided by two simple rules—capture the essence of the
Sangiovese variety from that vintage, and build on its
core characters, to assemble the juiciest, most complex
wine possible. The blending varietals and percentages
will vary for each vintage.
For the 2018 Il Granaio, we combined 25% Bordeaux
varietals—Merlot and Cabernet Franc—with 75%
Sangiovese from the Teldeschi Vineyard in Dry Creek
Valley to achieve the wine that we were seeking. We are
pleased with the result, and think you will be, too.
Winemaker Notes
Our Il Granaio Sangiovese began with the 2000
vintage when Jamie convinced me that we could create
a Sangiovese blend juicy, spicy and exotic enough for
the “Super Tuscan” moniker (Sangiovese blended with
non-traditional varieties). The wine quickly developed
a following, and we’ve produced the Il Granaio
Sangiovese every vintage since.
Food Pairing Notes
This food-friendly wine will pair with everything
from steakhouse pasta sprinkled with blue cheese
to buttermilk-brined pork chops served with red
cabbage slaw.