Paolo Bea
San Valentino Sangiovese Blend
Umbria, Italy
Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 2016 San Valentino is a blend of mostly Sangiovese mixed with some local varieties. It pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the palate, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, exotic spices, wild underbrush, old leather and rich woody notes, some VA and dried rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely and despite the concentration of flavors, surprisingly nimble and super versatile with the variety of fare on the table including sturgeon in a miso with noodles (it kinda blew my mind actually). Sublime. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 2016 San Valentino is a blend of mostly Sangiovese mixed with some local varieties. It pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the palate, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, exotic spices, wild underbrush, old leather and rich woody notes, some VA and dried rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely and despite the concentration of flavors, surprisingly nimble and super versatile with the variety of fare on the table including sturgeon in a miso with noodles (it kinda blew my mind actually). Sublime. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Jul 17th, 2024Absolutely gorgeous, lively red and black fruits with citrus and herbaceous tones, great BBQ accompaniment
Absolutely gorgeous, lively red and black fruits with citrus and herbaceous tones, great BBQ accompaniment
May 11th, 2024
Blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, aged 3 years in large Slavonian casks, with a whopping 59 days of maceration, deep Ruby with aromas of red and black fruits, complex spice, earth and herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry, herbs, layers of spice spice and earthy notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. Very nice!
Blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, aged 3 years in large Slavonian casks, with a whopping 59 days of maceration, deep Ruby with aromas of red and black fruits, complex spice, earth and herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry, herbs, layers of spice spice and earthy notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. Very nice!
Sep 3rd, 2023Popped and poured; enjoyed over two hours. The 2017 “San Valentino” pours a slightly hazy garnet color with a watery rim and a translucent core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this is the mousiest Bea I can recall in some time. Thankfully there is plenty of other interests. Powerful notes of dark cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, and spiced kofta. There is some VA too but what do you expect? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed and the finish is long savory. Another lovely edition of San Valentino that perhaps reveals the natural approach of the Beas more than other recent examples but there is no shortage of style, soul and pleasure. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two hours. The 2017 “San Valentino” pours a slightly hazy garnet color with a watery rim and a translucent core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this is the mousiest Bea I can recall in some time. Thankfully there is plenty of other interests. Powerful notes of dark cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, and spiced kofta. There is some VA too but what do you expect? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed and the finish is long savory. Another lovely edition of San Valentino that perhaps reveals the natural approach of the Beas more than other recent examples but there is no shortage of style, soul and pleasure. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
Feb 16th, 2023
Took an hour to open up but then 🔥.
Took an hour to open up but then 🔥.
Apr 12th, 2021Slightly turbid. Noticeable VA (not at all out of place considering Bea). Powerful notes of cherry, stone fruits (apricot and peach), and cool, damp forest earth. Medium tannins and high acid. The finish is wild and satisfying. If my previous experience with this vintage was the reference, this was not quite as impressive as it was and based on the challenges of the 2014 vintage, probably time to drink and enjoy!
Slightly turbid. Noticeable VA (not at all out of place considering Bea). Powerful notes of cherry, stone fruits (apricot and peach), and cool, damp forest earth. Medium tannins and high acid. The finish is wild and satisfying. If my previous experience with this vintage was the reference, this was not quite as impressive as it was and based on the challenges of the 2014 vintage, probably time to drink and enjoy!
Mar 2nd, 2021
Always love and appreciate these wines, but the mildew and difficulties of the vintage show through here. Lighter in body and lower alcohol than normal, high acid, very acetic. VA is quite high, even for producer. Microbial, sweaty, combo of brett and off malo ferm. Stewed red fruits, acetate, sweat, feral/animal, yogurt, iodine, hotdog water, leather. Not the best bottling, but I appreciate the honesty of it.
Always love and appreciate these wines, but the mildew and difficulties of the vintage show through here. Lighter in body and lower alcohol than normal, high acid, very acetic. VA is quite high, even for producer. Microbial, sweaty, combo of brett and off malo ferm. Stewed red fruits, acetate, sweat, feral/animal, yogurt, iodine, hotdog water, leather. Not the best bottling, but I appreciate the honesty of it.
Jan 6th, 2021
It was a Paolo Bea kind of night. What an incredible bouquet on the 2012 San Valentino. Coming in at 1.5% less ABV than the previous vintage, and showing depths of dark, earthy, almost animal-like complexities. Here I'm finding balsamic spice over dried strawberries, with moist dark soil tones, crushed stone, dusty dried florals, and hints of brown sugar. On the palate, silky textures flood the senses with flavors of sour cherry, tangerine, savory spice, and masses of exotic inner florals, as zesty acids make the mouth water, while concentrated tart red fruits and hints of tannin tugg at the side of my cheeks. The finish is long, zesty, spicy, and tart, yet still so energetic, as the wines vibrant acids refuse to give in to the intensity within. The result id a spell-binding and tactile experience that is impossible not to like, and easily one of my favorite vintages to date for San Valentino.
It was a Paolo Bea kind of night. What an incredible bouquet on the 2012 San Valentino. Coming in at 1.5% less ABV than the previous vintage, and showing depths of dark, earthy, almost animal-like complexities. Here I'm finding balsamic spice over dried strawberries, with moist dark soil tones, crushed stone, dusty dried florals, and hints of brown sugar. On the palate, silky textures flood the senses with flavors of sour cherry, tangerine, savory spice, and masses of exotic inner florals, as zesty acids make the mouth water, while concentrated tart red fruits and hints of tannin tugg at the side of my cheeks. The finish is long, zesty, spicy, and tart, yet still so energetic, as the wines vibrant acids refuse to give in to the intensity within. The result id a spell-binding and tactile experience that is impossible not to like, and easily one of my favorite vintages to date for San Valentino.
May 2nd, 2020Pop and pour. Quite a bit of VA on the nose that never fully dissipated but the bottle was consumed too quickly to allow for it. Regardless, it wasn’t overwhelming for our palates and even some relative novices and Bea virgins remarked on how much they loved it. Dark fruits, very tightly coiled at this point with exotic spices. Firm tannins. Super duper young but a winner in a vintage when this was the only red wine that Bea produced. Really ought to have an extended decant. I’m a buyer...hoping to find more.
Pop and pour. Quite a bit of VA on the nose that never fully dissipated but the bottle was consumed too quickly to allow for it. Regardless, it wasn’t overwhelming for our palates and even some relative novices and Bea virgins remarked on how much they loved it. Dark fruits, very tightly coiled at this point with exotic spices. Firm tannins. Super duper young but a winner in a vintage when this was the only red wine that Bea produced. Really ought to have an extended decant. I’m a buyer...hoping to find more.
Mar 14th, 2020
Wild.
Day 1: At first, not balanced by any measure but somehow makes up for it in raw feral energy. Pretty hot alcohol aromas for a medium bodied wine, a decent level of va, not quite as much acidity as I’d want. But beautiful bretty leathery aromas, herbal and fruity in such an intoxicating way. Holds so much interest and pleasure.
Day 2: What a transformation! It’s like all of the awkward edges have smoothed out and the wine is very in balance and seriously beautiful, even better with a light chill.
Wild.
Day 1: At first, not balanced by any measure but somehow makes up for it in raw feral energy. Pretty hot alcohol aromas for a medium bodied wine, a decent level of va, not quite as much acidity as I’d want. But beautiful bretty leathery aromas, herbal and fruity in such an intoxicating way. Holds so much interest and pleasure.
Day 2: What a transformation! It’s like all of the awkward edges have smoothed out and the wine is very in balance and seriously beautiful, even better with a light chill.