Danzante Sangiovese 1997- California

 
History
In 1995, the Frescobaldi family of Florence, Italy and the Robert Mondavi Family of Napa Valley established a joint venture to produce some of Italy's finest wines. Thirty generations of winemaking knowledge and experience come together through this partnership. Danzante is the third wine produced under this partnership, with its predecessors being Luce and Lucente.

Wines
Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese are the two wines produced under the Danzante label. Each has a fresh, fruity style with crisp acidity that complements a broad range of foods and will enhance any meal. These unpretentious wines were created in celebration of la dolce vita and add to the universal enjoyment of wine and food.

Pinot Grigio (PEE-noh GREE-j'yoh) from the Venezie appellation consistenly produces a bright wine with delicate fragrances and flavor and creamy texture. The Sangiovese (sahn-joh-VEH-seh) grown in the Marche, is a wine of immediate appeal with enticing aromas and flavors. The wine's ruby color is accentuated by deep cherry, plum and blackberry flavors followed by spices.

Lamberto Frescobaldi and Tim Mondavi lead the winemaking quality and style for Danzante. Both families work in concert to develop these fresh, elegant wines that are designed to enhance mealtimes around the world. 

Ooh!!  Very Technical
Type IGT delle Marche
Production areas Castel di Lama (AP) and Riatransone (AP)
First vintage produced 1997
Actual vine growing surface area 150 hectares
Altitude Between 130 and 120 meters above sea level
Exposure South, southeast, southwest
Type of soil Medium to high hills located in a small zone between Ascoli Piceno and San Benedetto
Vine Density 3000 – 3500 vines per hectare
Growing System Cordon-trained spur-pruned vines
Grapes 90% Sangiovese, 10% other
Total acidity and ph at harvest 6,2 g/l ph3,30
Pressing Soft
Fermentation vats material Stainless Steel
Fermentation temperature about 30 C
Fermentation period 10 DAys
Skin contact 7 Days
Malo-lactic fermentation immediately following primary fermentation
Aging 10 months in stainless steel followed by 6 months in bottle
Bottling September 1998
Alcohol % 12,5
Total acidity 5,6
PH 3,6
Residual sugar <0,2
Sugar at harvest 239 g/l

“The colour is a ruby red of intensity. The bouquet is intense and open, releasing hints of dried cherries, plum and mineral complexity. In the mouth, its opening is round with a touch of sweetness and evident traces of fruit. It is long with a silky, persistent finish. A perfect companion for a wide variety of pasta dishes, meats, and cheese.”

Timothy J. Mondavi

1997 Danzante Sangiovese, a really delicious Italian wine, at a great price. This is yet another fruitful result of the combined talents of the Robert Mondavi and the Frescobaldi family in Tuscany. The sangiovese grape is usually associated with Tuscany and Chianti wine, of which it is the chief component. But good sangiovese can be found all over north and central Italy. The Marches, the coast region east of Tuscany and Umbria, produces excellent wines from the grape and this is one of them. It's a rich wine with lots of fruit, and it's ready to drink now. "Danzante," by the way, is Italian for "dancing."

Frank J. Prial, New York Times