Tasting Notes

I tasted several nice wines last night, including a very interesting Malbec that smelled like meatloaf and tasted like green peppers, herbs, and burned leaves, but this sangiovese from Napa Valley stood out. If you had told me beforehand, in fact, that it was a Chianti Classico Riserva, I'd have believed you without hesitation:

Winery: Gargiulo Vineyards (Napa Valley)
Wine: 2004 Aprile Super Oakville Blend
Grape/Blend: sangiovese (96%), cabernet sauvignon (4%)
Price: $40 (suggested retail)
Aroma: cherry and oak
Body: medium to medium/full
Taste: chocolate-covered cherries, candied spice, oak
Overall: complex, with a pronounced flavor arc and a sustained finish
Assessment: Very good