WTN: Ferrari-Carano 2003 Siena
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:36 pm
Today's tasting features a food-friendly Sonoma County red that's one of my favorite California Italian-style wines. Ferrari-Carano 2003 Sonoma County "Siena" emulates a "Super Tuscan" with its blend of 75 percent Sangiovese (the primary grape of Chianti) with a smaller portion of the Malbec (11 percent) and splashes of a half-dozen other grapes. I'm delighted to see its price, at least in this part of the world, drop back to the $20 range after having soared close to $30 in recent vintages; although still a bit above everyday status for most wine enthusiasts, its high quality makes it a fine value at this price.
<table border="0" align="right" width="166"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/sien0709.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr></table>Ferrari-Carano 2003 Siena Sonoma County Red Wine ($19.99)
This is an inky dark reddish-purple wine, showing glints of ruby against the light. Lovely black-cherry aromas add more subtle hints of fennel or licorice. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors follow the nose, shaped by tart Italian-style acidity and soft tannins in a nicely structured wine. Tart cherries linger and add a touch of dark chocolate in a long finish. Curiously, the proprietary name was rendered "Sienna" for a year or two, as shown in the 2001 label at right; it has now returned to "Siena" as in the historic Tuscan town. (Aug. 10, 2006)
<B>FOOD MATCH:</b> Like its Tuscan cousins, Siena serves nicely with a rare grilled steak; it also went very well indeed with a hearty, meatless pasta dish of sauteed eggplant, mushrooms and fresh tomatoes over farfalle, topped with grated fresco Asiago and Pecorino Romano cheeses and a basil chiffonade.
<B>VALUE:</B> I was delighted to spot it at less than $20 in this market, at which point it's a fine value; you may be able to find it in some regions for a few dollars less.
<B>WHEN TO DRINK:</B> Drinking beautifully now, but its blend of grapes and its careful balance suggest that it should cellar well, and possibly evolve, over at least the next five years.
<B>WEB LINK:</B>
The winery Website describes the full Ferrari-Carano portfolio and offers online buying where the law permits. Click for a Siena fact sheet.
<B>FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:</B>
Find vendors and check prices for Ferrari-Carano Siena on Wine-Searcher.com.
<table border="0" align="right" width="166"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/sien0709.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr></table>Ferrari-Carano 2003 Siena Sonoma County Red Wine ($19.99)
This is an inky dark reddish-purple wine, showing glints of ruby against the light. Lovely black-cherry aromas add more subtle hints of fennel or licorice. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors follow the nose, shaped by tart Italian-style acidity and soft tannins in a nicely structured wine. Tart cherries linger and add a touch of dark chocolate in a long finish. Curiously, the proprietary name was rendered "Sienna" for a year or two, as shown in the 2001 label at right; it has now returned to "Siena" as in the historic Tuscan town. (Aug. 10, 2006)
<B>FOOD MATCH:</b> Like its Tuscan cousins, Siena serves nicely with a rare grilled steak; it also went very well indeed with a hearty, meatless pasta dish of sauteed eggplant, mushrooms and fresh tomatoes over farfalle, topped with grated fresco Asiago and Pecorino Romano cheeses and a basil chiffonade.
<B>VALUE:</B> I was delighted to spot it at less than $20 in this market, at which point it's a fine value; you may be able to find it in some regions for a few dollars less.
<B>WHEN TO DRINK:</B> Drinking beautifully now, but its blend of grapes and its careful balance suggest that it should cellar well, and possibly evolve, over at least the next five years.
<B>WEB LINK:</B>
The winery Website describes the full Ferrari-Carano portfolio and offers online buying where the law permits. Click for a Siena fact sheet.
<B>FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:</B>
Find vendors and check prices for Ferrari-Carano Siena on Wine-Searcher.com.