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HomeWine Club SelectionsApril Domestic Wine: 2009 Pietra Santa ‘Sassolino’ Red Blend, Cienega Valley, CALIFORNIA

April Domestic Wine: 2009 Pietra Santa ‘Sassolino’ Red Blend, Cienega Valley, CALIFORNIA

Pietra Santa is a family-run estate producing artisanal wines and olive oils in California’s Central Coast. The site was planted to wine grapes in the 1850s by Frenchman Theophile Vache who chose the location because of the maritime climate and unique soils.

Pietra Santa is 25 miles from Monterey Bay and benefits from cool coastal breezes that allow for a long growing season. The estate’s location on the San Andreas Fault creates soils rich with granite and limestone that naturally lower yields and add distinctive flavors to the wines. The winery was named PIETRA SANTA, Italian for SACRED STONE, in honor of these exceptional soils.

History of Sangiovese and its Relation to Pietra Santa: Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, “the blood of Jove“. The most accredited theory about the origin of Sangiovese is in Romagna, in the Town of Santarcangelo, where the Romans would store the wine in Grotte Tufacee (caves) inside the Mons Jovis. Though it is the grape of most of central Italy from Romagna down to Lazio, the wine is grown in Campania and in Sicily as well. Sangiovese is most famous as the main component of the blend Chianti, Carmignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Morellino di Scansano, although it can also be used to make varietal wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino or Sangiovese di Romagna, as well as modern “Super Tuscan” wines like Tignanello.

Sangiovese has now been planted throughout the world, with many Californian wineries planting the varietal. Pietra Santa has planted Sangiovese, and are making many great wines with Sangiovese as the focus. Young Sangiovese has fresh fruity flavors of strawberry and a little spiciness, but it readily takes on oaky, even tarry, flavors when aged in barrels.

Varietals: 86% Sangiovese and 14% Merlot

Alcohol: 14.7% by volume

Tasting Notes: The name Sassolino means “little stone” in honor of the terroir of our estate. The wine has robust fruit and tastes of black cherry with hints of chocolate and oak, finished with soft tannins. The balanced acidity of this wine makes it ideal for pairing with a wide variety of food.

Food Pairings: Try it with your favorite Italian dishes including pasta Bolognese, pizza, and salty cheeses.

Jim Lutfy’s thoughts: “A wine with Tuscan flair and substance. Rich and elegant, yet subtle. The wine has many layers of complexity and tremendous texture. The Sassolino is a wine that will leave you begging for more.”- JL