SANTA BARBARA | Il Moschio da Monte | Rosso Piceno | 2019
montepulciano | sangiovese
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Passion, respect for the land and the determination to innovate are the foundations on which the Santa Barbara winery was built. The name Santa Barbara pays homage to the homeland and tradition. It all started in the 6th century, when in the Byzantine city of Senigallia, a Lombardic (and therefore “barbarian”) outpost was set up. Since then, that village took the name Barbara, which is where the winery was founded.
Today we are going to review a wine blend from the relatively unknown Rosso Piceno appellation from the Marche wine region of Italy – Il Moschio da Monte Rosso Piceno 2019 by Santa Barbara. This wine is a harmonious blend of two italian indigenous grape varieties: montepulciano and sangiovese, where montepulciano forms the wine’s main body and structure, while sangiovese builds a more refined mid-palate and offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the estate’s vineyards planted on chalky clay soils, on the slopes with northern exposure on 250m altitude. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged in french oak barrels of various sizes (225-litre barriques and 450-litre tonneau). The wine itself is signed by the renowned italian oenologist, Stefano Antonucci. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & oaky
fruit character: overripe
The wine’s first nose reveals a rich and vibrant intensity, showcasing its overripe fruit character. Leading the charge are a medley of black fruits, dominated by ripe black cherry, dark plum and juicy blackcurrant, harmoniously complemented with subtle hints of new oak. Beyond the initial fruit explosion, the background reveals some subtle earthy undertones of black soil dust and pencil lead, which bring more depth on the aromatic profile, complemented by notes of peppercorn and tobacco that add intrigue.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: medium | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: bitter-seedy
The palate reveals the same overripe fruit character of black fruits, oak and spice as the nose, yet the tasting experience takes a different turn. It all starts with crisp acidity that brings a fresh touch, followed by a quite pronounced tannic grip, which leaves a slightly bitter and seedy sensation on the finish. The alcohol warmth is undeniable, adding dimension but slightly overpowering the other elements. Overall, the mouthfeel feels bold and ripe, with a slightly angular sensation, mostly due to the prominent alcohol.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | almost there | drink now or in the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
While the initial nose is undeniably captivating with its overripe fruit character and intriguing oaky notes, the palate unfortunately falls short of expectations. The bold and firm tannins, coupled with a slightly angular and slightly rough mouthfeel, create a somewhat disjointed experience. The prominent alcoholic warmth further disrupts the balance, thus forming a bitter-seedy aftertaste. All in all, this wine presents itself as an overripe, fruit-forward and oaky blend that, in its current state, lacks finesse and harmony on the palate. Despite its initial promise, the wine would not benefit significantly from additional bottle ageing, therefore we would recommend to drink it either today or within the next 2 years.
//Scoring
SANTA BARBARA | Il Moschio da Monte | Rosso Piceno | 2019
variety: montepulciano | sangiovese
country: Italy
region: Marche | Rosso Piceno
rating: 93.2
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This is definitely a fine wine of Italy and, with a total of 93.2 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Given the wine’s bold fruit character, prominent tannins, and slightly rustic charm, we would recommend to pair it with a grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. The richness of the steak would stand up to the wine’s full body, while the grill char would add a smoky note that will complement the oaky character of the wine. In the same key, the chimichurri sauce, with its blend of parsley, garlic and olive oil, will counter-balance the wine’s tannins, providing a refreshing contrast. This pairing will allow the wine’s bold character to be counter-balanced by the smoky notes of the dish, thus creating a harmonious tasting experience. Cheers!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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