Winemaker Notes
Ideal with rice and pasta in tomato or meat sauces, and filled pasta, as well as grilled meats, poultry, white meats and soft cheeses
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A very elegant, mid-weight Bordeaux blend with delicate red-fruit and fresh-sage aromas and just a hint of bell pepper. I love the interplay of subtle fruit, meaty character and fine tannins through the long, silky finish. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2017 Terre di San Leonardo keeps you coming back to the glass to take in its intense bouquet of spiced raspberries, black licorice, crushed chalk and peppery florals. This is silky with depths of dark wild berries and inner herbal tones, all accelerated by brisk acids and a subtle hint of sour citrus. It leaves the palate reeling, lightly structured yet spry, as a primary coating of red and black fruit slowly fades. The warmth of the vintage has imparted another level of richness that isn’t often found from the Terre di San Leonardo, making it an excellent option for near-term enjoyment. This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Carmenère from the younger vines on the San Leonardo estate.
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.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.