90 ~ James Suckling 88 Points and Best Buy ~ Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Wisps of herbs, mixed berry tart, and savory pumpkin followed by an unmistakable burst of fruit: raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, with fresh acidity, depth, and earth. Boundless baking spice, rose petals, and buttered toast with hints of jam, balanced tannins, and weight on the finish.
Vineyards
Built on an immense legacy and good old-fashioned hard work, Foppiano has been producing wine since the estate was founded in 1896. Located just south of Healdsburg, the winery sits on 160 acres in the renowned Russian River Valley. Cool morning fog and warm summer days create an ideal microclimate for balanced grape growing. Today, the vineyards are planted with Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc on the warmer bench lands, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the cooler blocks adjacent to the Russian River.
Winemaking
Early California grape growers often farmed vineyards with several mixed varieties planted together to create the classic āfield blendā. With the creation of 1896, we honor this tradition and our heritage, picking classic varieties that thrive in Mediterranean climates. By seeking out wines that balance each other in flavor, and aromas, we blend each in just the right proportion to make an easy wine that offers a snapshot of the growing season.
The story of Foppiano Vineyards is a family epic full of tradition, perseverance, and contributions to the history of Sonoma County and the wine country. Founded in 1896 by Giovanni Foppiano, Foppiano Vineyards is one of Sonoma Countyās oldest continually-operated, family-owned wineries. Our family has supplied Northern California with wine for over a century, surviving Prohibition in the 1920s by selling home winemaking kits. We believe that through the strength of the family and a commitment to quality, our traditions can be maintained and thrive. Weāre proud to be one of the founding members of the Russian River Valley AVA, and continue to enjoy the fruits of our hardworking Italian heritage. To stay on the cutting edge of quality winemaking, weāve made important investments in infrastructure and winery equipment throughout the years. The vision of the fifth generation of Foppianos, together with Giovanniās foresight to purchase land in the Russian River Valley, guides our family into the future while creating a world-class wine program representative of our history.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
@rjquillin@Winedavid49 to be clear, I never said this bottling wasnāt any good. However, āCaliforniaā can be any vineyard in our state, right? Foppiano was my first winery experience in Sonoma and I associate them with PS and Zin hence my interest in their estate grown fruit. Hopefully WD can get his hands on some of the above for a Friday offer!
@hankvino@losthighwayz@Winedavid49 Iām guessing the Cab Franc is not estate, or even local - may even be the reason it has a California designationā¦since that means >25% of the grapes are from outside Sonoma county.
Weāve known the Foppianos since before Prohibition. Theyāve always made good, honest wine. We took at least one rpm Magical History Tour group to Foppiano. Their Pets has always been one of the best in the county.
Iāve enjoyed Foppianoās petite sirahs. This would be quite a different beast, so Iām curious what lab rats will say about this. Butā¦
Early California grape growers often farmed vineyards with several mixed varieties planted together to create the classic āfield blendā. With the creation of 1896, we honor this tradition and our heritage, picking classic varieties that thrive in Mediterranean climates. By seeking out wines that balance each other in flavor, and aromas, we blend each in just the right proportion to make an easy wine that offers a snapshot of the growing season.
That doesnāt sound like a āfield blendā to me, so Iām not sure how it ā[honors] the tradition.ā I guess itās a blend of varietals, at least?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Foppiano 1896 Red Blend - $20 = 16.66%
Suckling says:
90 points. Black cherries, violets, and sage followed by sweet squash, toast and fruit cake. Medium-bodied, firm yet juicy tannins with soft acidity. Nice harmony and approachability. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 1/24
Enthusiast:
88 points. Best Buy. For a big, bold wine with a good hit of umami, this California red blend stays relatively light on its feet with its fine, sandy tannic texture, elevated acidity and fresh fruit and veg notes. Itās the perfect pairing for a classic meat and three-veg kind of dinner. ā Stacy Briscoe 10/1/23
Only other tidbit is RS 1.8 g/L
fwiw
(my first reading of the Enthusiast review I thought it said āā¦three-keg kind of dinner.ā giddyup right?)
Iām thrilled to have been chosen again as a rat. I opened it last weekend. The pop and pour was a bit tight, but there wasnāt much on the nose or palate except for a tart taste. After an hour, it opened up with red fruit, cherries, and cranberry. The spice notes were definitely there; my wife said it reminded her of mulled wine. I saved a glass for the next day, and it was still holding up and tasted pretty much the same.
The price is right here, this is a decent mid-week wine and works better with food than as a solo sipper.
2021 Foppiano 1896 Red Blend, California
90 ~ James Suckling
88 Points and Best Buy ~ Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
Specs
Whatās Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$194.90/Case for 12x 2021 Foppiano 1896 Red Blend, California at Foppiano Vineyards
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 4 - Tuesday, Nov 5
2021 Foppiano 1896 Red Blend
6 bottles for $59.99 $10/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $99.99 $8.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Bummer. Was hoping for an estate bottling. California designation is an easy pass.
@losthighwayz I bet thereās alot of hidden estate juice on this bottle.
@losthighwayz @Winedavid49
And really, does it make that much difference?
They put out a quality product.
@rjquillin @Winedavid49 to be clear, I never said this bottling wasnāt any good. However, āCaliforniaā can be any vineyard in our state, right? Foppiano was my first winery experience in Sonoma and I associate them with PS and Zin hence my interest in their estate grown fruit. Hopefully WD can get his hands on some of the above for a Friday offer!
@losthighwayz @Winedavid49
Indeed, all of the Petite Sirah in this blend comes from our RRV estate. Enjoy!
@hankvino @losthighwayz @Winedavid49 whatās your role with the winery?
@klezman I am the Brand Director at winery
@hankvino @losthighwayz @Winedavid49 Iām guessing the Cab Franc is not estate, or even local - may even be the reason it has a California designationā¦since that means >25% of the grapes are from outside Sonoma county.
Weāve known the Foppianos since before Prohibition. Theyāve always made good, honest wine. We took at least one rpm Magical History Tour group to Foppiano. Their Pets has always been one of the best in the county.
Iāve enjoyed Foppianoās petite sirahs. This would be quite a different beast, so Iām curious what lab rats will say about this. Butā¦
That doesnāt sound like a āfield blendā to me, so Iām not sure how it ā[honors] the tradition.ā I guess itās a blend of varietals, at least?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 Foppiano 1896 Red Blend - $20 = 16.66%
As noted aboveā¦
Suckling says:
90 points. Black cherries, violets, and sage followed by sweet squash, toast and fruit cake. Medium-bodied, firm yet juicy tannins with soft acidity. Nice harmony and approachability. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 1/24
Enthusiast:
88 points. Best Buy. For a big, bold wine with a good hit of umami, this California red blend stays relatively light on its feet with its fine, sandy tannic texture, elevated acidity and fresh fruit and veg notes. Itās the perfect pairing for a classic meat and three-veg kind of dinner. ā Stacy Briscoe 10/1/23
Only other tidbit is RS 1.8 g/L
fwiw
(my first reading of the Enthusiast review I thought it said āā¦three-keg kind of dinner.ā giddyup right?)
Iām thrilled to have been chosen again as a rat. I opened it last weekend. The pop and pour was a bit tight, but there wasnāt much on the nose or palate except for a tart taste. After an hour, it opened up with red fruit, cherries, and cranberry. The spice notes were definitely there; my wife said it reminded her of mulled wine. I saved a glass for the next day, and it was still holding up and tasted pretty much the same.
The price is right here, this is a decent mid-week wine and works better with food than as a solo sipper.
This looks like an amazing offer! Great price, great producer, and I got to finally use my Cheer discount! In for a case!
fishy-serious-vacation
In for a six pack since I donāt really know the producer.
/giphy greasy-classy-fence
Case price is excellent butā¦I forgot the damn discount code from the last purchase. Tried WITCHWINE but itās invalid. So Iām in for 6.