2021 Muscardini Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
Tasting Notes
This sensational release features aromas of crushed red berries, cherry cola, and fresh sage accompanied with flavors of ripe cherry, fresh raspberry, plum, milk chocolate, baking spices, and fine French oak. Bright, expressive and endearing, the profile is complimented with a smooth, silky texture, fine-grained tannins, and a burst of fresh acidity leading to a long, graceful finish. Pairs well with braised lamb shanks, Moroccan beef stew, and penne pasta with grilled portabellas and pecorino cheese.
The Vineyard
The Sangiacomo family has farmed grapes in Sonoma Valley for nearly a century, with multi-generational stewardship centered in the Carneros AVA. The estate’s cool-climate vineyards are shaped by maritime influence, shallow clay-loam soils, and persistent coastal winds, resulting in naturally balanced vine growth and extended hang time. Fruit for this wine is sourced from carefully selected rows within the Sangiacomo Estate, chosen for uniformity, vine balance, and flavor development. All vineyard work is hands-on and precision-driven, emphasizing sustainable farming practices and meticulous canopy and crop management. The resulting wine reflects the purity, structure, and site expression that define Sangiacomo Carneros fruit.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Merlot from the Sangiacomo Family Estate
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Harvested: September 28, 2021
Bottled: January 29, 2024
Alcohol: 14.0%
Cases Produced: 336
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2021 Muscardini Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
Case:
12x 2021 Muscardini Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
With a focus on tradition and family, relationships are at the heart of Muscardini Cellars, and at that heart’s core are the relationships that proprietor, Michael Muscardini has cultivated in the vineyards with the growers he receives phenomenal fruit from every year. Michael Muscardini’s passion for Old World varietals extends beyond crafting exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, Brunello-style vintages and Super Tuscan-style wines, Muscardini Cellars wine conjures up a la dolce vita celebration which reflects Michael’s indefatigable tasting and lifestyle research on his sojourns to Italy.
Michael has forged deep relationships with Sonoma growers since founding Muscardini Cellars more than fifteen years ago. These close ties have established consistent sourcing of some of the area’s finest fruit in pursuit of superb Italian blends and non-Italian varietals met with an Italian winemaking approach. The results of these collaborations have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Michael Muscardini founded Muscardini Cellars to celebrate family, fellowship, and the storied Italian culture. Inspired by his grandfather and frequently extended holidays to Tuscany, Michael Muscardini remains committed to blazing his own trail, crafting highly regarded single vineyard varietals and robust Italian blends.
From our family to your family.
Michael Muscardini shares his zest for life and profound appreciation for the fruit of the vine with the Muscardini Cellars wine portfolio which consists of mostly single-vineyard, limited-production wines. The mission of Muscardini Cellars is to culminate the knowledge, tradition, and respect of more than a century of family experience in the industry with wines that artfully capture flavor and spirit.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
This is a bright, energetic Merlot. Lots of fresh red cherry and tart cranberry, with enough acidity to keep things lively and enough warmth to keep it from feeling thin. The nose is subtle at first, but the wine really wakes up once you start sipping and letting it aerate.
It’s extremely drinkable and absolutely begs for Italian food — think pizza, pasta, tomato sauce, herbs, olive oil, the whole situation. Not a “sit and contemplate” wine so much as a “why is my glass empty again?” wine. If you like reds that are fresh, balanced, and food-first rather than big and brooding, this one’s a winner.
I tried it with a piece of prosciutto and that was not an ideal pairing. Chicken mozzarella ravioli was better but the EVOO I put on it clashed a bit. Red sauce would be better. This very much reminded me of Italian Merlot. My husband had it with some kind of spicy tofu and said it was fine.
The one downside here is the price point. This part of Sonoma has gotten expensive indeed. We hoped for a casemates price of $20/bottle, so the case price is attractive. The wine is well-made, but not particularly complex. $28 is getting up there, and $65 is insanity (reminds me of where Ty Caton took his pricing). I really did enjoy it and will check it again tomorrow.
2021 Muscardini Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
Tasting Notes
The Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$780.00/Case for 12x 2021 Muscardini Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Mar 6 - Monday, Mar 9
2021 Muscardini Sangiacomo Vineyards Merlot
3 bottles for $84.99 $28.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $249.99 $20.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
This is a bright, energetic Merlot. Lots of fresh red cherry and tart cranberry, with enough acidity to keep things lively and enough warmth to keep it from feeling thin. The nose is subtle at first, but the wine really wakes up once you start sipping and letting it aerate.
It’s extremely drinkable and absolutely begs for Italian food — think pizza, pasta, tomato sauce, herbs, olive oil, the whole situation. Not a “sit and contemplate” wine so much as a “why is my glass empty again?” wine. If you like reds that are fresh, balanced, and food-first rather than big and brooding, this one’s a winner.
I tried it with a piece of prosciutto and that was not an ideal pairing. Chicken mozzarella ravioli was better but the EVOO I put on it clashed a bit. Red sauce would be better. This very much reminded me of Italian Merlot. My husband had it with some kind of spicy tofu and said it was fine.
The one downside here is the price point. This part of Sonoma has gotten expensive indeed. We hoped for a casemates price of $20/bottle, so the case price is attractive. The wine is well-made, but not particularly complex. $28 is getting up there, and $65 is insanity (reminds me of where Ty Caton took his pricing). I really did enjoy it and will check it again tomorrow.