Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A 65-25-10 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia is a delicious wine that shows both varietal and territory-driven characteristics. You do get greenish notes of rosemary and dried oregano, but Sondraia also offers an assortment of spice, cola and licorice-like aromas. It builds in intensity over the palate, offering a long, luscious finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this opens with savory aromas of fennel, dark berry, bell pepper and cedar. The firm palate offers black currant, black cherry, clove and Mediterranean herbs. Assertive but fine-grained tannins add elegance.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Taking a page out of the book of Bordeaux, specifically from the Médoc region, the area of Bolgheri is fast surpassing of that fame French region. The well-defined and finely-built 2011 Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia shows rich and sophisticated flavors and is ready for a well-marbled rib-eye of beef just off of the grill. Very dark in color; bold, ripe currant aromas, with an accent of savory spices, excellent depth; medium bodied and firm on the palate, sweet tannins; dry, medium acidity, well balanced; tangy, red fruit flavors, tight-knit and well-conceived; long finish, excellent tension in the aftertaste. (Tasted: March 30, 2016, San Francisco, CA USA)
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Wine Spectator
Ripe blueberry, black currant and coffee notes signal this dense, structured red, which is lean and astringent in the end, with a bell pepper hint on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2023. 600 cases imported.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
An outstanding wine region made famous by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines for his own consumption in 1940s on his San Guido estate, and called the resulting wine, Sassicaia. Today the region’s Tuscan reds are based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which can be made as single varietal wines or blends. The local Sangiovese can make up no more than 50% of the blends. Today Sassicaia has its own DOC designation within the Bogheri DOC appellation.