Gallo of Sonoma Barelli Sangiovese 1997

In the hillside benchlands of the Alexander Valley, winegrowing at our familys Barrelli Creek Vineyard began over a century ago when Italian immigrants first planted vines. Now, as then, grapes grown in this site are enhanced by a variety of soil profiles ranging from gravely sandy loam to clay described as Clough, Arbuckle, and Haire series. Its Region III climate makes this the warmest of our Sonoma vineyards. Sangiovese is best known for producing the renowned red wines of Tuscany. The Sangiovese planted at Barrelli Creek is a unique Italian heirloom clone, passed on to us by the father of head winemaker Marcello Monticelli. Grapes for this wine were Estate grown and hand harvested. Medium-full bodied, with assertive aromas and flavors of red and black cherries, herbs, oak, and black pepper spice.