Luna Vineyards Napa Valley Sangiovese 2006

Our 2006 Napa Valley Sangiovese is the deep color of garnets. The aromas of raspberries, black cherries, milk chocolate and rose petals come forward on the nose. The Merlot supports a plump blueberry core on the mid-palate, accented by chocolate and hints of orange. An interesting mineral note appears on the back of the palate, and firm, silky tannins hold the wine together. The finish is a lush thirty second trail of perfectly ripe, but not overripe, cherries. Drink through 2015.

The backbone of our 2006 Sangiovese comes from the Game Farm Vineyard in Oakville. The vineyard lies in dense, stony subsoil that mimics mountain growing conditions. It was selected for its Brunello clone vines and shallow, rocky soil. In these soils, the Sangiovese struggles to produce the highest quality grapes possible. The balance of the grapes were grown in the heart of the Napa Valley. As in 2005, the 2006 Harvest was very late, with great hang time. The fruit was harvested over ten days, beginning on October 10th, at an average of 25.4 degrees Brix, under ideal harvest conditions.

Fermentation was allowed to occur naturally over a period of three weeks, without any added yeast or acid. The wine then spent another twenty-one days in an extended maceration before pressing. The extended skin contact allowed us to coax out the subtle nuances and mid-palate texture that we strive for in our Sangiovese. Portions of the Merlot were blended in to contribute rich, berry flavors. We also added Petite Sirah to the blend, for tannins, color stability and longer aging capability. The wine was aged for fifteen months in 25% new French oak barrels from Billon, Bossuet and Radoux. The wine was bottled in February, 2008, without being fined or filtered.