Paolo Bea
San Valentino Sangiovese Blend
Umbria, Italy
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036.
Mar 16th, 2025Opened 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, 2024
