Wine Last Sold on: November 19, 2012
Random Ridge
Featured Wine:
2009 Fortunata Sangiovese
| Varietal: | Sangiovese |
| Region: | California: Mount Veeder (Napa) |
| Avg. Price: | $34.00 |
| Wine Spies: | $22.00 |
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SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:
We only showcase wines that we love. While our emphasis is on quality first, every now and again we come across a real standout wine that rises above. When we do, we issue alerts like this one.
Mission Codename: Fortune Flavors the Fruit
- Operative
- Agent Red
- Objective
- Return to Random Ridge and secure a sizeable cache of their 2009 Furtunata, a wonderful, food-fantastic Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, from one of our very favorite smaller producers.
- Mission Status
- Accomplished!
- Winemaker
- Bill Hawley
Final Assessment
We have have the great honor to feature random ridge wines these last 5+ years. Each wine seems to impress us more than the last and today’s is no exception. Where we have grown accustomed to Bill Hawley’s wonderful Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet blends, today’s wine is a lovely departure.
Today’s 2009 Fortunata is a delicious Sangiovese blend, made from Bill’s extraordinary fruit - in a style that is, at once, ‘Old World’ and ‘New World’. That is to say that this wine possesses the brightness and earthiness of a true Italian Sangiovese, with the ripeness of a born in California wine.
Because the wine has a lovely, bright acidity, it is the perfect companion for a delicious Italian meal. We recommend that you pair this wine with the cheesy lasagna or a spaghetti Bolognese.
Highly recommended, we encourage you to take today’s wine home with you. Share it with friends, family and loved ones, and enjoy great fortune as you imbibe this delicious treat.
Tasting Profile
Dark and foreboding, deep burgundy with dark coloration from core to edge. After swirling the wine, tall, skinny legs take a long time to emerge before streaking down the glass.
Bold black cherry, plum and spiced blackberry candy rush from the glass to greet you on the nose. Inhale the wine deeply and additional aromas of sweetwood, sweet spice, hard dried leather, dried cranberry and subtle conifer needles.
Cool and light across the front of the pallet. The wine then gains weight at the mid and rear palate. The wine settles in, very gradually, becoming grippy and mouth feeling as plush tannins work their magic at the edges of the tongue, pushing a slowly spreading dryness toward the center.
Braised plum, blackberry candy, wild strawberry and dusty bramble take lead. These are closely followed by dried cranberries, subtle sweet tobacco leaf, drive fall leaves, pencil shavings (graphite and cedar) and dried earth.
Dark fruit, spice and earthen elements all take a long time to fade in equal proportion. At the very end a soft dryness is accompanied by the flavor of subtle sweet spice and graphite.
What the Winery Says
Fortunata means, “women with good luck”, or “lucky lady”.
Sangiovese means, “the blood of jove”.
Well endowed integrated balanced and focused a true expression of a special place on earth good to go now but further cellaring will reward. Sensual. Ethereal. Elixir.
Tasting Notes
Deep garnet redolent in dried cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, orange zest and garrique.
Wine Specs
Varietal Composition: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Clone: Brunello di Montalcino
Vineyards: Vines over 30 years old. Dense planting. Cane pruned. Meticulous farming.
Brix: 25.3
Ph: 3.62
TA: .687
Aging: Cuvaison 15 days. 2 years in oak, un-fined and unfiltered.
About the Winery
Random Ridge produces fine wines from vineyards pioneered by the Hawley family in the Mayacamas mountains of Napa County, California. We also write poetry, surf, and practice sustainable agriculture.
Random Ridge produces wines in very limited quantities from vines meticulously maintained to reflect the essence of the soils in which they grow. We are farmers first but will surf anytime anywhere. Our dedication in the vineyards naturally segues into traditional winemaking practices in the cellar. We strive to enable the fruit to develop its inherent Buddha nature to become wine of complexity harmony & passion.
