Among the pioneers who introduced Sangiovese to the New World, the Gullett family set out in 1985 with the singular goal of making Vino Noceto California’s premiere Sangiovese producer. They are now renowned for making “California’s Best Sangiovese.” From just three producing acres and 110 cases in their inaugural 1990 vintage, they now farm over 25 acres and produce 10,000 cases per year, including ten different Sangioveses, a frizzante Moscato, an old vine Zinfandel, Barbera, Aglianico, and more.
2021 Vino Noceto “Hillside” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, California
Silver - Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
With vines originally sourced from the Isole e Olena vineyard in the Chianti region of Italy, the 2021 Hillside Sangiovese is a limited-production Sangiovese produced primarily from the estate’s Hillside vineyard block.
Vineyards
100% Sangiovese Piccolo from the estate’s Hillside block. Planted in 1990 with cuttings sourced from Isole e Olena in Chianti, Italy, the Hillside block is located on our ranch house parcel, immediately east of the winery property. The soils are of the Sierra Series: volcanic and granitic in origin, shallow and rocky, only 1-2 feet deep.
Winemaking
The fruit is crushed, cold-soaked for 1 to 2 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel, open-top tanks at 70°-85° Fahrenheit to preserve bright varietal characteristics. The wine is aged for 16 months in 130-gallon French oak puncheons (50% new) to soften youthful tannins and gently age the wine.
The Wine
The 2021 Hillside Sangiovese is elegance in a bottle—medium-to-full bodied, with rich Bing cherry fruit, hints of sweet oak, plum, and fresh herbs. It pairs well with herbed pasta, fowl, or pork loin with a reduction or fruit sauce.
Specs
Harvested: Sep 9, 2021
Bottled: May 15, 2023
Alcohol: 14.8% ABV
Cases: 215
Winemaker: Rusty Folena
2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County
Gold Medal, 96 Points, California State Fair Best of Class Sangiovese, Gold, 94 points, Los Angeles International Wine Competition Double Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Noceto’s flagship Sangiovese is modeled after an Old World Tuscan Chianti—medium-bodied, beautiful acidity, fruit-packed, easy-drinking, well-balanced, and extremely versatile with food. This wine is widely regarded as “the best Sangiovese in California.” (Dan Berger, Darrell Corti, Mike Dunne, Elaine Taylor). 2021 marks Noceto’s 32nd vintage.
Vineyards
Grapes are from 15 separate lots—98.6% Sangiovese selections and 1.4% Canaiolo Nero. Made with 79% Estate vines, including cuttings sourced from Isole e Olena (55%) in Chianti as well as Il Poggione (24%), Altesino (1.4%), and Biondi Santi (2.7%) in Montalcino. Each lot is harvested and fermented separately prior to selective blending.
Winemaking
The fruit is cold-soaked 1-2 days, then fermented in stainless steel, bins, and French oak for 7-10 days at 70°-85° Fahrenheit to preserve bright varietal characteristics. The wine ages in 130-gallon, predominantly French oak puncheons to soften youthful tannins.
The Wine
The 2021 Noceto Sangiovese is ripe and bright, with cherry-berry fruit at its center and a lingering palate. Secondary flavors include cranberry, cassis, peppery spice, and light oak.
Exceptionally food-friendly: Pair with red sauces, spicy ethnic foods, and light meats.
Specs
Harvested: Sep 3 - Sep 28, 2021
Bottled: March 6-7, 2023
Alcohol: 14.1% ABV
Cases: 2,540
2020 Vino Noceto Barbera, Linsteadt Vineyard, Amador County
Tasting Notes
Barbera, the third-most planted red grape in Italy, is one of California’s most up-and-coming grape varietals. The Linsteadt Barbera is known as a food-friendly and approachable wine. The wine is full-bodied with good acid and structure, soft, silky tannins, and a long finish.
Vineyards
The Linsteadt Vineyard, located in the Shenandoah Valley, CA, and owned by Paul and Laura Linsteadt, is 34 acres in total and planted with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and, of course, Barbera. The vineyard uses Clone 6 of Barbera, known for producing a more full-bodied, rustic, old-world Barbera. The 2020 vintage was blended with 1% Estate Alicante Bouschet just before bottling.
Winemaking
The fruit was cold soaked for 1 to 2 days, followed by fermentation for 15 days at 64°-78° Fahrenheit in submerged-cap stainless steel tanks, which favor a fruit-forward, gentle extraction of flavors. Aged 22 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
The Wine
The 2020 Linsteadt Barbera displays bright aromas of blueberry and raspberry, with a touch of earth, spice, and vanilla. Good acid, nice minerality, and a strong structure carry through a long finish, exemplified by deep, rich fruit and soft, silky tannins. The wine pairs well with osso buco, chicken cacciatore, flank steak, or lamb kabobs.
Specs
Harvested: Oct 6, 2020
Bottled: December 6, 2022
Alcohol: 14.5% ABV
Cases: 97
Winemaker: Rusty Folena
Vino Noceto Rosso Sangiovese di California
Tasting Notes
Noceto’s Rosso is a predominantly Sangiovese blend sourced from vineyards throughout the central coast and northern California. Made in a food-friendly Chianti style, this is a simple, easy-drinking go-to for an everyday red that will go with everything on your plate.
Vineyards
Grapes were sourced from multiple vineyards ranging from the central coast (Brutocao) through northern California (Noceto and Sidney Davis). In addition to Sangiovese, we also selected Sagrantino, Alicante Bouschet, and Canaiolo Nero. Each lot is harvested and fermented separately prior to selective blending.
Winemaking
2022 was a challenging year due to frost and a late-season heat wave. It really pushed winemaker Rusty Folena to take into account that every vineyard was different and that he had to adjust his winemaking to those vineyards. “That’s why there is no recipe,” says Rusty. The fruit was cold-soaked 24 hours, then fermented in a combination of stainless steel, bins, and French oak (depending on the vineyard) for 7-10 days at 70°-85° Fahrenheit to preserve bright varietal characteristics. The wine aged in 130-gallon, predominantly French oak puncheons to soften youthful tannins.
The Wine
NV Rosso opens with a nose of cherry-berry, fruit roll-up, and cedar. Secondary flavors include bright cherry, cassis, leather, minerality, and balanced acid. Exceptionally food-friendly, you can pair it with anything you have on your plate - from charcuterie to Barese ragù or Korma!
Specs
Harvested: Sep - Oct 2022
Bottled: Oct 16, 2024
Alcohol: 13.0% ABV
Cases: 1,483
Winemaker: Rusty Folena
What’s Included
6-bottles:
1x 2021 Vino Noceto “Hillside” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, California
2x 2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County
2x 2020 Vino Noceto Barbera, Linsteadt Vineyard, Amador County
1x Vino Noceto Rosso Sangiovese di California Case:
2x 2021 Vino Noceto “Hillside” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, California
4x 2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County
4x 2020 Vino Noceto Barbera, Linsteadt Vineyard, Amador County
Vino Noceto has been making “California’s Best Sangiovese” for over 25 years. Located in beautiful Amador County, we now make eight different Sangioveses as well as an Old Vine Zinfandel, a slightly sparkling Moscato called Frivolo, Barbera, a Tuscan Red Blend, Pinot Grigio, and more!
On their nearly forty acres, they now have twenty-five acres of grapes, almost all Sangiovese, five acres of olive trees, 200 lilac bushes, and two acres of walnut trees, each contributing revenue to the farm. Buildings include their 1887 renovated ranchhouse, winery and tasting room buildings, and several rustic barns and outbuildings. From only 110 cases of Sangiovese in its inaugural 1990 vintage, the winery now produces 8,000 cases of wine annually. This includes 5,000 cases of nine different Sangioveses, 1,500 cases of a lively Moscato blend called Frivolo, plus an old vine Zinfandel from the Original Grandpere Vineyard, Barbera, Aglianico, and Pinot Grigio. Then there’s always some grappa when you’re needing a nightcap – but that’s another story!
Why Noceto? Noceto means walnut grove in Italian, and walnuts were a staple crop for the farm where the Noceto estate now stands. Noceto, Italy, near Parma, is the sister city of Suzy’s native town of Walnut Creek. Plus the name is short, simple, and easily said if not necessarily properly pronounced!
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
It’s always a pleasure to have a bottle of wine brighten the day. No email, but the clue suggests I’d better get to work.
The wine is a deep garnet color. In the first half hour, I got very little on the nose, then “red fruit”. I didn’t follow the wine for more than an hour as the offer goes up in a few minutes.
The wine is medium bodied, fruity, tart cherries, blueberries and blackberries. At times a little licorice and plum. Loads of acidity, certainly enough to stand up to any hearty, tomato based or high fat meal. There were moderate tannins persisting into the long peppery finish.
I opened a bottle of Frog‘s Tooth Barbera from a recent Casemate offer and it had a little less body and tannins, a little less nuance of the fruit flavors.
I’ve purchased the majority of the Noceto offers from Casemates as well as purchases from the winery. I’ve enjoyed every varietal in their selection. They have a Zin from the OGP vineyard. They’ve been well received as gifts with positive feedback and requests for additional bottles.
I’ve been asked why I would buy Italian varietals from anywhere but Italy. Simple answer, I like their style.
I assume this will be a mixed offer. I will have no hesitation.
I’ll check in over the weekend. Thanks to the home office for the opportunity to participate.
I’ve gotta confess I came down with the flu and it has turned into bronchitis this week. Thus, my nose and taste buds are way less than suboptimal. I’m going to mostly rely on my fiancee for this rattage.
We had it after decanting for 45 or so minutes and paired it with take out Italian red sauce dishes from our local spot.
On the nose, there are black cherries and blackberries.
Color is very dark and inky
The main notes are cherry, currants, a hint of pepper, menthol, and what I like to call dirt.
this is about the only area where I can contribute
There is a fair bit of structure in the bottle and the tannins are still apparent. It is more than drinkable now, but I see this getting better with time.
Given this is a mixed deal, its hard to discuss price. This is a better than a $17/bottle by leaps and bounds. However, it appears to be a club only bottle, so I anticipate it being at their best offering in the deal.
Thanks for the opportunity to rat and wish to be in better shape next time.
2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley
It’s always a lovely surprise to get a lab rat bottle, so thank you for that. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse. I haven’t really been drinking much lately, much less red wine.
Normally I’d have a second person tasting with me, but he’s currently in the hospital , so this is a quick and dirty tasting. He’s more the red wine person, so apologies at
this being rather brief.
Initial impression: gorgeous color, cherry and tobacco on the nose, the alcohol smell is pretty forward. No legs. Pop and pour reveals some really strong tannins. Kinda thin mouthfeel despite that.
Let it air for an hour or so while doing other stuff, then kinda forgot about it until ~3 hours later.
After opening up a bit, it’s still pretty tannic. Very much a Red Wine Lover’s red, I think. Very dry, tannins mellowed a bit after about 3 hours. I don’t know much about aging on wine, but I suspect this will only get better with time (I mean, the 2013 Christmas Woot Wine I had recently was delightful, and if that can hold up, I’m sure something this nice seeming could do even better!)
Pic of wine to come when I get to a computer later.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Vino Noceto Mixed Reds - $10 = 4.76%
This is one of those situations where I’d be all over this if it shipped to my state. But with 5 bottles from the last offer still in my cellar, wootlegging is just not in the cards. Let’s hope they stick around for future offers!
I shared a case of the Rosso recently (oh wow it was in June, feels like yesterday!). Here’s a link to the discussion page.
For my part, I wasn’t thrilled with the first bottle I opened. Pleasant enough, but oddly sweet. I liked the next one a lot better, especially as it opened up over the course of the evening. I didn’t detect any weirdness. I don’t think I would go for another offer with just the Rosso, but the other bottles in the offer sound quite nice, and the penalty for getting just a half case is minimal, so
/giphy cozy-cherubic-sneeze
2021 Vino Noceto “Hillside” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, California
Silver - Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
The Wine
Specs
2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley, Amador County
Gold Medal, 96 Points, California State Fair
Best of Class Sangiovese, Gold, 94 points, Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Double Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
The Wine
Specs
2020 Vino Noceto Barbera, Linsteadt Vineyard, Amador County
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
The Wine
Specs
Vino Noceto Rosso Sangiovese di California
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
The Wine
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $364/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 29 - Friday, Jan 2
Vino Noceto Mixed Reds
6 bottles for $104.99 $17.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Vino Noceto “Hillside” Sangiovese
2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese
2020 Vino Noceto Barbera
NV Vino Noceto Rosso Sangiovese di California
2020 Noceto Linsteadt Barbera
It’s always a pleasure to have a bottle of wine brighten the day. No email, but the clue suggests I’d better get to work.
The wine is a deep garnet color. In the first half hour, I got very little on the nose, then “red fruit”. I didn’t follow the wine for more than an hour as the offer goes up in a few minutes.
The wine is medium bodied, fruity, tart cherries, blueberries and blackberries. At times a little licorice and plum. Loads of acidity, certainly enough to stand up to any hearty, tomato based or high fat meal. There were moderate tannins persisting into the long peppery finish.
I opened a bottle of Frog‘s Tooth Barbera from a recent Casemate offer and it had a little less body and tannins, a little less nuance of the fruit flavors.
I’ve purchased the majority of the Noceto offers from Casemates as well as purchases from the winery. I’ve enjoyed every varietal in their selection. They have a Zin from the OGP vineyard. They’ve been well received as gifts with positive feedback and requests for additional bottles.
I’ve been asked why I would buy Italian varietals from anywhere but Italy. Simple answer, I like their style.
I assume this will be a mixed offer. I will have no hesitation.
I’ll check in over the weekend. Thanks to the home office for the opportunity to participate.
Your friendly Hillside rat has joined the chat.
I’ve gotta confess I came down with the flu and it has turned into bronchitis this week. Thus, my nose and taste buds are way less than suboptimal. I’m going to mostly rely on my fiancee for this rattage.
We had it after decanting for 45 or so minutes and paired it with take out Italian red sauce dishes from our local spot.
On the nose, there are black cherries and blackberries.
Color is very dark and inky
The main notes are cherry, currants, a hint of pepper, menthol, and what I like to call dirt.
this is about the only area where I can contribute
There is a fair bit of structure in the bottle and the tannins are still apparent. It is more than drinkable now, but I see this getting better with time.
Given this is a mixed deal, its hard to discuss price. This is a better than a $17/bottle by leaps and bounds. However, it appears to be a club only bottle, so I anticipate it being at their best offering in the deal.
Thanks for the opportunity to rat and wish to be in better shape next time.
@kookie00 Thanks to you and fiancé for the rattage. Hope for you to be in better shape soon.
2021 Vino Noceto “Originale” Sangiovese, Shenandoah Valley
It’s always a lovely surprise to get a lab rat bottle, so thank you for that. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse. I haven’t really been drinking much lately, much less red wine.
Normally I’d have a second person tasting with me, but he’s currently in the hospital , so this is a quick and dirty tasting. He’s more the red wine person, so apologies at
this being rather brief.
Initial impression: gorgeous color, cherry and tobacco on the nose, the alcohol smell is pretty forward. No legs. Pop and pour reveals some really strong tannins. Kinda thin mouthfeel despite that.
Let it air for an hour or so while doing other stuff, then kinda forgot about it until ~3 hours later.
After opening up a bit, it’s still pretty tannic. Very much a Red Wine Lover’s red, I think. Very dry, tannins mellowed a bit after about 3 hours. I don’t know much about aging on wine, but I suspect this will only get better with time (I mean, the 2013 Christmas Woot Wine I had recently was delightful, and if that can hold up, I’m sure something this nice seeming could do even better!)
Pic of wine to come when I get to a computer later.
Merry Christmas to me.Love Noceto! Auto buy. Ty Suzy & Wine David!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Vino Noceto Mixed Reds - $10 = 4.76%
This is one of those situations where I’d be all over this if it shipped to my state. But with 5 bottles from the last offer still in my cellar, wootlegging is just not in the cards. Let’s hope they stick around for future offers!
I shared a case of the Rosso recently (oh wow it was in June, feels like yesterday!). Here’s a link to the discussion page.
For my part, I wasn’t thrilled with the first bottle I opened. Pleasant enough, but oddly sweet. I liked the next one a lot better, especially as it opened up over the course of the evening. I didn’t detect any weirdness. I don’t think I would go for another offer with just the Rosso, but the other bottles in the offer sound quite nice, and the penalty for getting just a half case is minimal, so
/giphy cozy-cherubic-sneeze