SAGGI 2019 Super Tuscan-style Blend
(52% Sangiovese, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Syrah)
Columbia Valley, Washington
VINEYARD
Like previous vintages, the 2019 Saggi is a blend of two top Washington state Sangiovese vineyards, both planted in 1998 on sites with well-draining soils, important to managing Sangiovese’s vine vigor and berry size. Candy Mountain is a warm vineyard that delivers Sangiovese grapes with ripe, black currant aromas and flavors. Boushey Vineyard Sangiovese, grown in the Yakima Valley, is a cooler site that brings vibrancy and balanced acidity to the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Horse Heaven Hills offers silky, refined tannins. Den Hoed’s Grandview Vineyard Syrah adds dark color and liveliness.
Vintage Notes: The 2019 vintage produced excellent red wines of exceptional quality and consistency. The season started slowly. Unexpected late winter snow held on until mid-March, and as a result, soils were slow to warm; April bud break was delayed, but by May, the temperatures climbed to accelerate bloom. Summer weather was mild with no heat spikes, and the temperatures stayed moderate into the fall. Grapes ripened slowly, but the pace allowed the fruit to reach full physiological maturity, resulting in a vintage notable for its fresh, elegant style.
CELLAR
Handpicked grapes were gently crushed and fermented into small, two-ton tanks. Using a technique called saignée (French for “to bleed”), 5-10% of the juice was removed from the tank at the beginning of fermentation to increase the proportion of grape skins to juice. By increasing the juice to skin ratio, more color, flavor, and tannins were extracted from the grapes. Small lot, extended maceration for an average of 30 days developed refined tannins and a lush mouthfeel. Aged 18 months in all French oak barrels (55% new).
ACCOLADES
93 points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous Media
92 points – Jeb Dunnuck
92 points – James Suckling