Beaulieu Vineyard Signet Collection Sangiovese 1996

Fine medium-ruby violet color. Sonorous, ripe black plum and dark cherry varietal aromas are enhanced by lightly earthy, herb, coffee, and anise notes. The wonderful fruit flavors showcase a very fleshy texture, with hints of black cherry, dark chocolate, black pepper and some new oak vanillins in the finish. Lightly tannic, with some "woodsy" overtones as one swallows, there is plenty of lush fruit and earthy-cocoa character in the mid-palate. Excellent length in the finish, more complex than our 96 Sangiovese, as well as more focused Sangiovese character, all make this our finest Sangiovese to date. It should improve over a 6 year aging period, and will make an excellent match with marinated grilled chicken, a thick T-bone steak grilled over the coals, or a pasta with lamb and sun-dried tomatoes, drizzled with white truffle olive oil!