Nice aromas of black cherry, tobacco, black pepper and earth. A fairly rich wine of berry and spice flavors, dry and refreshing. Fifteen percent Shiraz (Syrah) adds depth and richness. Lots to like in this soft, balanced wine.
— S.H.
(10/1/1999)
Soft, earthy, black-currant aromas are tinged with smoky, toasty oak. Medium-bodied, the fruit and earth flavors are pleasing, if not terribly complex. Almost too easy to drink—the light tannins are plush and fine. Not one for the ages, but yummy now.
— J.C.
(9/1/1999)
Rich, soft and full-bodied, this black-cherry and smoke-scented wine doesn’t taste particularly like Sangiovese, but it’s tasty nonetheless. One of the better Sangiovese offerings from the folks at Venezia.
— J.C.
(10/1/1999)
Rich, oaky and spicy on the nose. There’s ripe fruit under the oak veneer, but it lacks character and never really blossoms. The finish is medium in length and dominated by wood.
— J.C.
(10/1/1999)
Dark black-cherry fruit and smoky, toasty oak are pleasant, but nothing more. A tart, smoky finish shows a heavy oak influence and leaves behind a slightly bitter taste of barrel char. Not up to Venezia’s other efforts with Sangiovese.
— J.C.
(10/1/1999)
Heavy, ponderous and simply too oaky. Tons of creamy coconut and vanilla cover up the fruit. Too much seems to get lost on the heavy palate. Texture and mouthfeel come at the expense of balance and integrated flavor. Seems to be aiming for a predictable heavily oaked style.
— M.S.
(6/1/1999)
If not for the hint of peach on the nose, you might never know this was Viognier. A barely acceptable generic white wine, with any varietal character obliterated by barrel fermentation and oak influences.
— J.C.
(10/1/1999)