21 Sangiovese

2021 Obelisco Sangiovese

AVA: Red Mountain 

Blend: 80% Sangiovese, 14% Merlot, 6% Malbec

Vineyards: Ranch at the End of the Road, Obelisco Estate Vineyard

Case Production: 350 cases

Aging: 24 months in French and Hungarian Oak

Tasting Notes: As with most Sangiovese, the pale ruby color tricks you into thinking this is a lighter bodied wine with less intensity.  However, this Sangiovese has aromas of Bing cherries, cranberry, and spice.  On the palate, the wine is fresh and bright with additional flavors of cherry cola, vanilla, and savory fresh herbs.  This wine is medium bodied and concentrated with natural tannins from the grapes that give it great structure and depth.   

Cellaring: This Sangiovese has plenty of natural acidity and tannins, both of which will help this wine age gracefully.  If you enjoy fruit forward wines, please drink this wine within 2-5 years.  However, if you enjoy older wines with aged characters like dried fruits and coffee notes, this wine will age very well for up to 20 years.

Production: The Sangiovese was cold soaked for 5 days prior to fermentation and fermented at relatively cool temperatures to retain the fresh fruit aromas.  After fermentation, the wine was transferred into oak French and Hungarian barrels for two years.  Around 40% new oak was utilized to add spice and vanilla flavors, along with allowing the tannins to soften and the wine to gain concentration. 

Harvest notes: 2021 was a warm year in Washington State.  The heat dome that occurred in June reduced berry size and cluster size producing wines with amazing intensity.  The vines managed the heat stress well and the grapes ripened evenly, and sugars and flavors developed in balance.  In typical fashion, September and October were cool, allowing the grapes to retain acidity and freshness.  The 2021 wines show classic Washington ripeness matched with elegance and brightness.