Sangiovese 2020

BACKGROUND
Estate Sangiovese comes predominantly from the original 10 acres of Sangiovese that Tom Stolpman planted in 1994.  The Santa Barbara sunshine and long growing season create a richer, denser version of Sangiovese compared to what is found in the grape’s Tuscan homeland.  Stolpman’s cold nights and Limestone soils retain the acidity that brings our New World version back to balance.  The younger 2004 High Density Hilltop “La Croce” Sangiovese, occasionally culled off into a reserve “Sangio degli Angeli” cuvee, brings heightened concentration and intensity to the wine.

Aged 21 months in neutral large Ermitage 500L french oak puncheons, Sangiovese’s tell-tale acidity and tannin have the time to integrate and slip into the rich, ripe mid-palate.

VINTAGE
Sangiovese ripens at the tail end of Syrah harvest, and this slightly later ripening pattern gave the vines time to fully recover from the record breaking heat wave at the beginning of September 2020.  While this recovery month allowed for balance – it also delivered an unprecedented opulence and luxury to the cuvee.

SENSORY 
Simply put, our best Estate Sangiovese vintage in the 25 year history of producing it. 

We are acutely aware of this superlative language as the 2018 vintage had, up until its release, been our favorite vintage yet.  2019 then trumped 2018 upon its release.  And now we simply feel like Estate Sangiovese Cheerleaders with the 2020 being so clearly THE BEST we have ever made.  Luckily the critics agree with us, and the 2020 Estate Sangiovese is ranked evenly alongside our most limited production, most expensive wines in 2020, our most highly rated vintage in the history of Stolpman Vineyards.

Intoxicating red perfume – the magic that makes French perfumeries world famous – so far beyond mere rose petals or putting the names of red fruits in a wine description.  The mouth carries freshness, richness, and bold intensity all bound in one singular flow.  Deep below, a darker pipe smoke begins to give way to the savory finish.  Only after swallowing are we reminded of the varietal, with a refined version of the trademark Tuscan tannin and acidity creating a 1-2 combo peeking out to blow a kiss goodbye and leave you eagerly awaiting the next deep sniff and sip.