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Tasting Notes

This intensely flavored wine offers aromas of sandalwood and incense mingling with pomegranate juice, juniper berry, and fresh raspberries. On the palate, it is full and dense, showcasing good purity of fruit with juicy plum notes at its core. Notes of roasted almond, dried citrus, and blackberry add complexity, while its food-friendly acidity creates perfect tension in the tannins, complemented by some layered earthiness.

Vintage Notes

Our 2022 harvest began just a little earlier than the previous year, with the first fruit picked on August 15. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops, bringing intense, concentrated flavor and color. The consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity, bringing brightness and balance to the fruit’s flavors. Harvest continued through the middle of October when we picked the last red grapes from our Sonoma Valley estate, Wild Oak Vineyard.

Vineyard Notes

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.

Winemaker Notes

In the spirit of our Italian heritage, this super Tuscan-inspired blend was made to reflect its traditional characteristics. For the base of this wine, Sangiovese grapes were picked in early 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 20% Sonoma Valley Merlot from our Estate Behler vineyard to produce a true super Tuscan-style wine.