Small Lots Sangiovese, 2017

FLAVOUR PROFILE

Garnet colour with a wonderful, warming bouquet of red cherry, earth, savoury herbs, oak, spice and cedar chest. This medium to full bodied wine has soft drying tannins, wonderful texture and food-friendly acidity. Lovely flavours of red cherry, plum, warm spice and oak unfold on the palate. The lingering finish shows notes of red cherry, dark plum, earth and savoury spice.

Decanting is recommended if drinking now through 2021. Pairs well with meaty cheesy lasagna; rigatoni Bolognese; cheesy eggplant parmesan; ratatouille; wild mushroom risotto; slow-cooked stew with a side of polenta; sage and rosemary seasoned stews and roasted meats; black bean hummus with Pita chips; Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego with fresh crusty bread.

GROWING CONDITIONS

A cool, wet spring gave way to a late start to the growing season, which led directly into a hot summer with a record breaking dry spell. This accelerated the ripening, bringing the fruit back on track. September brought cooler weather, slowing the ripening and allowing a good window for picking. This resulted in wines that are more balanced with lower alcohols and higher natural acidity. Overall, the 2017 vintage was lower in heat units than 2016 but still higher than average.

WINEMAKER NOTES

“Our Sangiovese is the first Sangiovese grown and produced as a VQA wine in Canada. We did this to prove the value of the Sandhill site - intense heat, dry desert conditions, and sandy soil. Use of traditional Brunello yeast, classic winemaking methods, and aging in small French oak barrels all contribute to a complex and elegant expression of this Italian varietal. Bottle aging for 1 to 2 years should reveal even more subtle complexities.” - Sandy Leier, Winemaker