Sunday, June 3, 2018

Del Dotto Napa Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve 2002

Del Dotto Napa Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve Sangiovese Blend 2002 at Angeli's Italian Trattoria

For casual Saturday evening dining on the patio at our favorite local Italian Trattoria, Angeli's Italian in Naperville. I took this Del Dotto Vineyards Giovanni's Tuscan Reserve Sangiovese Blend. Our visit to Del Dotto and our private Cave Tour Tasting at the winery in St Helena was one of the highlights of our 2017 Napa Wine Experience. We've been collecting Del Dotto Napa Valley wines since their inaugural release in 1994 and hold a dozen various cases of their labels across twenty vintages.

This label is a unique blend of  blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is named for Giovanni Del Dotto, son of proprietors Dave and Yolanda.

We hold vintages of this label back to what we believe is its inaugural release in 1996. This 2002 release is by the best version of this label I have tasted, being more complex, more polished, sophisticated, yet harmonious than my recollection of any release. Not surprisingly, it is also the sweetest variant of this label I can recall as well, which is much to my liking.

This was a perfect compliment to my two entrees, Italian Sausage and Peppers, and my Cheese Ravioli with Bolognese sauce (shown below).

This tasting exceeded earlier tastings, more complex, smoother and more harmonious; dark garnet color, medium to full body with the full forward, complex tight black berry fruits masked accented by hints of sweet mocha and caramel, with notes of smoke and charcoal before giving way to aromatic floral and bright tangy black cherry fruits with spicy, firm tannins on the aromatic, lingering finish.

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=289974

http://www.deldottovineyards.com/