Phoenix Vineyards

1995 Sangiovese Bloof of Jupiter

Winemaker's Notes:

Cases Produced: 180

Varietal %s: 83.5% Sangiovese, 16.5% Pinotage

Date of Harvest: Sept. 19th (Pinotage), Nov. 2nd (Sangiovese)

Brix at Harvest: 23.0 to 23.5 Brix

Length of Fermentation: 6-8 days with 5-7 days additional skin contact time (Assmanshausen Yeast culture used on Pinotage)

End Alcohol: 13.4% on avg.

Time in Oak: 15 months in a mix of 1 year (15%) and 4 year old French Oak

Bottling Date: March 7th, 1997 (No fining or filtration)

The name for our Sangiovese, the Blood of Jupiter, comes directly from the grape name itself Sources say translating the Italian Sangiovese (sangus, blood and Jovus or Jove) into English gives us literally, the blood of Jupiter. This heritage is evident in the striking shades of red color in the best examples of wines made from this noble grape.

The 1995 vintage was a great one in the Napa Valley; this wine is a prime example of the conditions. Colors in the red lots were up that year and the long, even tempered weather patterns through the growing season pushed the Sangiovese block to the latest harvest date it has ever had. This allowed for the flavors to really develop in the fruit as it stayed on the vine. The 95 Blood is showing quite a bit of extract balanced with jammy, spicy (telltale bay leaf), forward fruit notes. Some sweet Vanillin and spice notes from the barrels also appear. The finish is a little tight at this stage (decant 30 mm before serving) and will benefit from some time in the bottle but it is already showing its characteristic affinity with foods.