“Super Tuscan” style blend of 75% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is powerful like a lady gymnast rather than a male weightlifter. Black currant, dark raspberry, cedar, orange tea and tobacco smells and flavors all tightly packed into this intense, youthful wine whose best days are well ahead of it (2025-2030 best drinking I think). 13.6% alcohol, medium/high tannins, low oak influence by Napa standards. If I had a child born in 2014 this would definitely make my birth year collection.
The Rodeno Family, owners and winemakers of Villa Ragazzi, take Sangiovese seriously. Their Oakville home and vineyard grows it (along with some Cabernet Sauvignon) and they make it in a truly “old world” style, which is equal parts savory and fruity. The Villa Ragazzi wines are made to age. Waiting ten+ years, as I suggest on the 2014 Faraona, is the norm. And really small production: under 300 cases made of three wines combined.
Check out all Villa Ragazzi reviews on Dan Dawson’s Wine Advisor HERE.