Sangiovese has been a major disappointment in Napa Valley, but guess what? This 97% Sangiovese, with 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, is an impressive wine, and the best of Gargiulo’s current releases. It’s enormously forward in cherry pastry filling flavors, while plenty of new oak adds smoky, cinnamon spicy, vanilla brulée complexities, but it’s the quality of the tannins…
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
Despite the silly name, this is a deeply impressive, but very young, Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend. It needs time in the cellar. It practically oozes ripe, pie-filling blackberries and cherries as well as sweet, smoky new oak. It’s all primary flavor now, but very balanced, and should come into its own after 2010.
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
All the parts haven’t come close to knitting together in this Cab. The smoky new oak is out there on its own, while the ripe black currants and savory cherries are doing their own thing. It’s unintegrated. But judging from the quality of the tannins, it should develop in the cellar. Try after 2010.
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
Drinking very dry and pretty tannic now, this Merlot is not at its best. But there’s lots of rich, ripe blackberry and cherry fruit. Try cellaring for a few years to let it all come together.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
Kicks off with pretty cherry notes in the nose. Dry and bright on the palate, the wine shows lovely ripe Bing cherry flavors, elegant citrus and clean mineral notes. A refreshing and satisfying rosé.
— J.M.
(9/1/2002)
This is a wine that needs some time to show its best. It’s dry and dusty with tannins and a bit hard with acids, but there’s a solid core of blackberry, cherry and sweet tobacco flavor. Give it until 2006.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
This polished wine brings firm acids and a scour of tannins to the cherry fruit flavors. With 96 percent Sangiovese, the 4 percent of Cabernet Sauvignon shows up in the cassis finish, which is a little sweet.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)