December 15, 2018
Holidays in Sonoma!
The Best of Sbragia Family Vineyards!
1. 2013 Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Moon Mountain District
The barrel sample of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard, which almost has identical numbers in terms of alcohol (14.8%), offers slightly bluer, blacker fruits & seems to be a tad richer & fuller – but the differences are marginal. This is a full-bodied, promising wine that probably should be laid down for 3-4 years & drunk over the following 25-30. This is another superb effort from this iconic site & highly recommended. Rated 92-94 The Wine Advocate (WA)
2. 2014 Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Moon Mountain District
“Gorgeous blueberry, black raspberry & blackcurrant fruit soar from the glass, with the oak pushed way to the background despite the use of 100% new French oak. The wine is opulent, sumptuously textured, & accessible. This is a beauty & a superb wine when considering that this is from a great vineyard & one of California’s top winemakers” Rated 93-95+ WA
3. 2015 Sbragia Gino's Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
It starts in the vineyard, with field blends of Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah & other varieties. And it continues in the winery, blending different vineyards to produce a wine with classic Dry Creek Valley character. This represents a traditional field blend that my grandfather, Gino, made each year. This vintage is full of lush ripe red fruit. It has a core of sweet red currant & strawberry with a bright finish. Winery
4. 2016 Sbragia Forchini Carignane Dry Creek Valley
The vineyard is a classic: 60+ years old, head pruned, dry farmed, & situated on the rolling eastside benchlands of red gravelly loam. It is a deep garnet in color with soft aromas of nectarines, black plums & rose. This wine have a full mouth feel with a combination of sweetness & tartness from juicy fresh raspberries to pomegranates with a hint of nutmeg. This Carignane finishes with a lingering, intense flavors of berries with caramel. Winery
5. 2016 Sbragia Zinfandel Italo's Vineyard
Intensely built, this is a big-boned & richly layered wine, dense & ripe in blackberry jam. The fruit is joined by smoky oak & further flavors of chocolate-covered coconut. Winery
6. 2015 Sbragia Vino Rosso Dry Creek Valley
This blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon & 42% Merlot with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot. It offers juicy, ripe blueberry & coffee flavors, soft tannins & a moderate oak imprint. Wine Enthusiast
7. 2015 Sbragia Home Ranch Merlot Dry Creek Valley
This vineyard, which my family has farmed for decades, surrounds the family home at the southern end of Dry Creek Valley, & consistently produces richly concentrated Merlot grapes from the rocky clay loam components in the soil. Chocolate covered raspberries instantly come to mind as well as cherry liqueur, amaretto & anise. On the palate this is textbook Merlot; smooth, silky & quaffable, drink this versatile wine by itself or with food. Winery
8. 2015 Sbragia Old Vine Zinfandel Nonno’s Reserve Dry Creek Valley
Expressive &w ell-built, with aromas of blackberry cobbler, a zesty
dash of dark Asian spices & layered flavors of black cherry, licorice
& toasted cinnamon. Wine Spectator