The Castello di Amorosa (aka the castle in Napa) is a definite destination point for anyone that is planning a trip to Napa Valley. Castello di Amorosa is a working winery that is housed in a 107 room ”castle” which is the brain child of its founder, Dario Sattui (Dario is also the owner of V. Sattui winery in Napa Valley). Dario’s plan was to produce wines that were primarily Italian-style, and showcase and sell them in an authentic, medieval castle. The tour of the castle was phenomenal, and after the tour we were able to sample a number of wines from Castello di Amorosa winery. The 2010 Gioia (joy-uh) Rosato di Sangiovese Rosé is a wonderful rosé produced from the Sangiovese grape variety. The color of this rosé is a bright pink color, and it has aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. The flavor profile confirms the aromas of strawberries, red raspberries,  cherries, also with cranberries, and a hint of spice. The 2010 Gioia Rosato is a dry rosé, produced in the old-world style, with good mouth-feel and acidity. This wine would be excellent as an aperitiff, or to be paired with food.
I would highly recommend touring and sampling the wines from Castello di Amorosa the next time you are in Napa Valley.

Jon

On a recent trip to Napa Valley, one stop that was on my itinerary was the famed “Castle of Napa,” the Castello di Amorosa. Castello di Amorosa is the inspiration of Dario Sattui, the owner of V. Sattui Winery located in the heart of Napa Valley. Dario built the castle because of his Italian heritage, and his love of medieval architecture. The castle has 107 rooms, and consists of over 120,000 square feet, with a Catholic Chapel (Mass is said every Sunday at 8:30 am), a draw bridge, banquet hall, and even a torture chamber. Our tour guide Tim was awesome and filled us in on a great deal of the history behind the building of the castle. Castello di Amorosa is also a working winery that produces a number of wines from Napa Valley. On the castle tour I had the opportunity to sample a number of the wines, and purchased a number that I took home with me.
When I returned home I opened up a bottle of the 2008 Sangiovese, which was wonderful. The color in the glass was a beautiful ruby red, and the aromas were of cherries, red berries, plums, and a slight hint of oak. The flavors associated with the Sangiovese were of cherries, red plums, red berries, spice, and a touch of oak at the back of the palate. This wine was a very nice Sangiovese, with great structure, soft tannins, and very approachable and easy to drink. I paired this wine with dried Italian meats, aged cheeses, and artisan bread, and they complimented one another very well.
I highly recommend visitig the Castello di Amorosa when you are in Napa Valley, and be sure to sample their wines as well.

Jon

The Frescobaldi Rèmole uses selected grapes found throughout central Tuscany for the production of this wine. The great environment and micro-climate found in Tuscany are the key  to the production of wines with unique character and drinkability. The Rèmole is predominately Sangiovese, with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon added.
In the glass this wine has a wonderful purple color to it, with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, cherries, prunes, and spice. The flavors in the mouth are of cherries, spice, and an earthiness. The tannins are medium, with a nice mouth feel, and a medium finish. This wine is really meant to be drank with food, and I paired a nice Italian-herb roast with it, and they went together wonderfully.

Jon

The Antinori family has been producing wine in Toscana, Tuscany since 1946. The family originally produced Chianti Classico, but with the 1994 vintage, they began adding 10% Merlot to the Sangiovese to soften it, and give it a bit more of a fruity side. The Sangiovese grape variety is known for its soft tannins, and easy drinkability at the dinner table.
This wine has a ruby red color to it, and the aromas are of fresh cherries, red berries, floral, and just a hint of earthiness from the Sangiovese. The flavors were of cherries, red berries, earthiness, and some nuances of spice. This is a medium-bodied wine, with soft tannins, and a medium finish. I paired this wine with traditional pepperoni, fresh basil, and mozzarella pizza, a perfect combination.

Jon