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What We Say 2001 Gabrielli Vineyard Sangiovese
HIGH QPR ALERT:
Today’s wine originally sold for $100 and through special arrangement with the winery, we were able to bring you this exceptional wine for just $35. Given the quality of the wine, we are issuing a special QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Alert.
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:
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Mission Codename: Above all, do only good
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Send Agent Red to Lookout Ridge, who has allowed us unprecedented access to their limited-production library wines. Secure an ample quantity of their single vineyard Gabrielli Vineyards Sangiovese.
to Sausal Winery and secure their 2007 Sangiovese for our Operatives around the world
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Lookout Ridge
Wine Subject: 2001 Gabrielli Vineyards Sangiovese
Winemaker: Greg La Follette
Backgrounder: Lookout Ridge, a cult winery that overlooks the entire Sonoma Valley, was founded with the charter to donate one wheelchair for each bottle of wine sold, has allowed us unique access to their library wines and we have selected their fantastic 2001 Sangiovese. This wine originally sold for $100 per bottle, but through special negotiation, we are able to bring you a limited quantity of this wine at a far lower price. Made by one of our winemaking heroes, Greg La Follette, today’s 2001 Gabrielli Vineyards Sangiovese from Lookout Ridge is a excellent wine with just the right about of bottle aging.
Varietal Backgrounder: The most widely planted grape in all of Italy, Sangiovese is used in everything from blended inexpensive table wines like Chianti, to the finest Super Tuscans. Italian immigrants introduced this varietal to the U.S. in the 1800’s. First plantings of this grape in the Sonoma County region were legendary and today, some of the most exciting California Sangiovese are found there. For today’s wine, Agent Red received a secret dispatch from most trusted confidential informants. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes on this great wine, followed by his mission report, to learn more about today’s old-world-in-California wine
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep ruby red, with a deepening core of black cherry hues. At the edge of the wine, a fine band of pink encircles the glass. Swirl the wine and watch skinny legs start high up on the glass, before they crawl slowly down.
Smell – Dark and dusky spiced cherry is the lead note. This is followed closely by dark strawberry, orange peel, violets, plum, sweetwoods, spice and soft oak.
Feel – soft and cool on entry, then the wine becomes very softly grippy as a light dryness begins at the tip of the tongue and works its way toward the rear. Eventually, the dryness spreads across the whole palate, drying the lips and cheeks.
Taste – Dusky and flavor-filled, leading with smoky black cherry, blackberry, bramble and dried violets. After a moment, these are followed by additional flavors of dark strawberry, spiced orange peel, dark spice, black pepper and flinty minerals.
Finish – This wine finishes smoky-sweet, at first. Then, darker fruit and spice appear – and then tail off very gradually, leaving behind soft black pepper and flint.
Conclusion – This is a wonderful wine that has been lovingly and perfectly aged in the underground wine cellar of Lookout Ridge. With classic Sangiovese fruit and spice, this wine is a pleasure to sip and discuss. The acid profile makes this wine a brilliant food companion as well. With its dusky character and wonderful dark fruit, this is a delicious wine that delivers a well-rounded experience. We interview most winemakers that we feature here, and we ask all of the which winemaker has been their greatest influence. Greg’s name is cited with remarkable frequency. No surprise there; Greg’s is recognized as a modern hero of California winemaking. Pair this wonderful wine with your favorite Italian meal or grilled meats.
Mission Report:
With 2010 harvest in full swing most wineries, it can be difficult to secure our winemaker interviews. Be sure to check back with us when we feature our next Lookout Ridge wine.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Lookout Ridge Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Lookout Ridge
About This Wine:
Mendocino County’s Gabrielli Vineyard produced our 2001 Sangiovese. It is perfectly matched for hearty meat dishes. Its deep ruby color and spicy cherry and blackberry aromas make for beautiful preface to the intense yet balanced palate. This wine has concentrated blackberry and cherry flavors great structure, balanced acidity and long, full finish. Make sure you let the wine open up in the glass. The fruit for this Sangiovese was grown at the Gabrielli Vineyard in Mendocino County.
About The Winery:
Founded in 1988, Lookout Ridge Winery is located high up on the top of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Its award-winning wines are produced in limited quantities and are not available in any retail outlets. To purchase Lookout Ridge Wines, use this website or contact the Winery directly. You may also join our mailing list to be notified about new releases.
Gordon Holmes, founder of Lookout Ridge, had a vision for the property and how he wanted to do things differently than other wineries. "I believe each winemaker has a particular passion for certain wines, and the method he or she uses to make that wine. I decided to build a “portfolio” of master winemakers, and I believe that’s what makes Lookout Ridge unique."
Gordon first invited Greg La Follette, founding winemaker of Flowers Vineyard & Winery, to be a member of his winemaking team. Greg, named by Robert Parker as one of the top Pinot winemakers, is a master at blending and producing Lookout Ridge’s Pinot and Chardonnay. Then Marco DiGiulio, of Robert Pepi Winery and founding member of Lokoya, joined the group. Marco, known as a Napa cult winemaker and a “purist,” makes Lookout Ridge’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Greg and Marco’s skills show in Lookout Ridge’s wines, which are achieving “cult” status – Lookout Ridge’s very first wine, the 2001 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, was featured as a “Next Generation Cult Wine” at the second annual California Cult Wines Classic (held at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco).
Building on his early success with multiple winemakers, Gordon invited more top-notch winemakers to join his “portfolio.” 2007 has been an exciting year with our Portfolio growing to eight winemakers. Click here to read more about our team.
About The Winemaker:
Greg LaFollette – Growing up in Europe, Greg La Follette developed a respect and understanding of the Old World’s philosophy of winemaking. He studied winemaking at UC Davis and then went to work in probably the best laboratory he could—Beaulieu Vineyard under the direction of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff. From there, Greg moved on to Kendall-Jackson, Hartford Court and then Flowers Vineyard & Winery, the first winery to build a solid business and make stellar wines in the remote ridgetops of the Sonoma Coast. Greg has built a remarkable reputation creating and nurturing some of California’s finest wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He is probably best known for his role as winemaker and general manager for Flowers Vineyard & Winery. Greg has earned many awards and honors. Here are just a few:
- “The Best of the Best” for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by Wine Spectator magazine for his work at Flowers Vineyard & Winery
- “Artisan Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits magazine in 2000 and 1999 for his work at Flowers Vineyard & Winery
- “Top-rated Chardonnay in the World” by Wine & Spirits magazine for his 1998 Porter-Bass Chardonnay
- “Artisan/Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits magazine in 1995 for his work at Hartford Court winery
Wine for Wheelcahairs:
Changing Lives, One Wheelchair at a Time – Over 150 million children, teens and adults worldwide are in need of a wheelchair but cannot afford one. For every bottle of Lookout Ridge Current Release Wines you buy, and for every case of Library Wines, Lookout Ridge will donate a wheelchair in your name to a needy individual.
The Holmes family, owners of Lookout Ridge Winery, has a deep, heartfelt connection to those deprived of independence and mobility by war, disease, accident, natural disaster or old age.
In December 2009 Gordon Holmes and one of Lookout Ridge’s winemakers, Marco DiGiulio, spent a week in Belize to deliver 300 wheelchairs. This incredible distribution was made possible through the fundraising efforts of CA at a private event held inside our cave at the winery on the top of the Mayacamas, in-between Napa and Sonoma. We are working with other compassionate individuals and companies who understand our mission of providing mobility to the over 150 million men, woman and children who can’t afford to purchase a wheelchair.
Technical Analysis:
Vintage: 2001
Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: Sangiovese
Appellation: Mendocino
Alcohol: 15.1%
