Wine of the WEEK – Crittenden Sangiovese.

The Pinocchio range from the Mornington Peninsula’s Crittenden Estate is the home of number of their interesting, more exotic varietals such as Arneis, Barbera and, my personal favourite, Sangiovese. 

Sangiovese is an Italian grape variety whose chief claim to fame is that it is the primary component of the wines of Chianti as well as being the blending partner with Cabernet Sauvignon for the “Super Tuscans.” Typically, Sangiovese shows cherry, raspberry and savoury characters and has a natural acidity that complements herb, oil and garlic based dishes that have chicken, lamb or venison at their core. 

Introduced in Australia in the 1960’s, Sangiovese seems a perfect variety to be grown in a region like Heathcote which has an amazing reputation for red wines – shiraz in particular – seemingly because of the regions Cambrian soils that are red, deep and have outstanding water holding capacity that eschews the need for irrigation in the growing season.

Medium blood red in colour, the 2008 Crittenden Estate Pinocchio Sangiovese shows an almost perfumed nose with spice, savoury and stalky notes on the palate. Aged for ten months in 3 and 4 year old oak barrels, the palate is medium bodied and chock full of spice and cherry fruit notes with a pronounced acid spine – it screams, “drink me with food!”

Rating – colour 3, bouquet 6, palate 7 = 16/20

This week only (commencing 04.01.10)

$20.00 per bottle, $220.20 per case of 12

http://www.mywinestore.com.au/product_info.php?pName=crittenden-pinocchio-sangiovese-2008&cName=red-wines-other-reds