Vegetal aromas of Sandalwood and incense mingle with fresh raspberries in this intensely flavored wine. Notes of roasted almond and dried citrus accent a juicy plum note at its core, while the wine’s food-friendly acidity creates the perfect tension in the tannins.
The 2020 growing season enjoyed near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal rain this winter, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, which eliminated any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the normal short-lived heat spikes, allowed for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.
Fruit for this Super Tuscan-style wine is sourced from an exquisite dry-farmed vineyard on the western edge of the Sonoma Valley floor. The red volcanic soil, and excellent drainage, produce small yields of intense, highly concentrated fruit. The name Caro Santo or Dear Saint honors our namesake St. Francis of Assisi.
In the spirit of our Italian heritage, this super Tuscan-inspired blend was made to reflect its traditional characteristics. Notoriously slow to ripen, the Sangiovese grapes were picked mid- September and put into a combination of open-top & closed-top fermentation tanks to produce better aromas and textures. Each tank underwent a 3-day cold soak before yeast inoculation, and then followed a warm fermentation for 10-14 days. After elevage the wine was later blended with 12% Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a true super tuscan style wine.
