GrapesRGreat

$25 (on sale!), 14% alc., Mendoza-Argentina: Argentina is not exactly what you think of when you think Sangiovese, but I purchased this bottle a while back having sampled it at a tasting.  The proprietor of this shop stated it outright when he said that this was a wine that he had to pour from his tasting bar because a Sangiovese from Argentina doesn’t exactly scream Buy Me, I’m familiar! which is what most people look for (including me) when confronted with a wine shop carrying hundreds of different kinds of wines.  I think most people like to see wines they recognize and tend to enter a store knowing how much they want to spend, and then buy from their list of familiar wineries or types of wine, whether they be wines that they have actually tasted or have just heard that “it was good” from a friend.  Tastings seem to be one of the main sources people have for adding to that list, and I certainly know that nothing helps bolster your confidence and knowledge in wine then to drink (different wines) constantly.  The end of the novella and beginning of the review are segway-ed by me saying that I knew this wine was good and interesting but it had been long enough since its purchase that I forgot all the wonderful details.

The color of this wine is actually quite light, and it may be my lack of knowledge of Sangiovese, but this surprised me.  That may be a matter of so many other typically Italian wines being so dark and brooding.  I might actually classify the color as “fuchsia” which might lead some to question my sexuality.  The bouquet of this wine is just starting to develop and is both jammy like a Zinfandel, but earthy (think mushrooms) like a Pinot Noir, and I’m starting to get interested.  The complexity of the aroma is helped by oak and black cherries as well as a sweet tinge of molasses.  Up front (what I will call the attack) this wines carries the earthy qualities seen in the smelling portion of the program and adds a little spice note (think cinnamon).  The mid-palate (what I will call the sustain) falls off slightly as some acidity comes through with lighter fruit notes.  The finish (what I will call the decay) is very deliciously toasty like campfire marshmallows and the acidity remains to become slightly tart (think fresh cherries).  All in all, I wish I had another bottle.  89+ pts.