
Sangiovese
Learn about Sangiovese — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
The perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness, Sangiovese is among Italy's elite red grape varieties and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino wines.
Elsewhere throughout Italy, Sangiovese plays an important role in many easy-drinking, value-driven red blends and on the French island of Corsica, under the name, Nielluccio, it produces excellent bright and refreshing red and rosé wines with a personality of their own. Sangiovese has also enjoyed success growing in California and Washington.
Tasting Notes for Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a dry, red wine with a medium body and qualities of tart cherry, plum, sun dried tomato, fresh tobacco and herbs. High-quality, well-aged examples can take on tertiary notes of smoke, leather, game, potpourri and dried fruit. Corsican Nielluccio is distinguished by a subtle perfume of dried flowers.
Perfect Food Pairings for Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the ultimate pizza and pasta red—its high acidity, moderate alcohol, and fine-grained tannins create a perfect symbiosis with tomato-based dishes, braised vegetables, roasted and cured meat, hard cheese and anything off the barbecue.
Sommelier Secrets for Sangiovese
Although it is the star variety of Tuscany, cult-classic “Super-Tuscan” wines may actually contain no Sangiovese at all! Since the 1970s, local winemakers have been producing big, bold wines as a blend of one or more of several international varieties—usually Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Syrah—with or without Sangiovese.
- Wine Spectator23
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate14
- Wine Enthusiast8
- Wine & Spirits5
- James Suckling2
- Collectible14
- Older Vintages10
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Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 1999Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Riserva Bucerchiale 1999Sangiovese from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Gaja Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- W&S
- RP
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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Felsina Fontalloro 1999Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1999Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- WE
- W&S
- RP