Vino Noceto Dos Oakies 2005

Last year on my tour thru Amador County in CA, we stopped at the Gullett family-owned Vino Noceto winery. This is another vineyard that has gone to sustainable farming, as well as, using solar panels for 100% of the winery, 90% of the irrigation (well) system and 50% of the tasting room energy. Vino Neceto is known for its Sangiovese wines, which is the main grape in Italian Chianti's, along with several others including Brunello di Montalcino. We tasted several of the Vino Noceto wines but the one I did bring home was the 2005 Dos Oakis, which his made from 100% Sangiovese. The wine had subtle aromas of blueberry and strawberry with some clove and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate,the berry forward fruits were followed by some oak and then some vanilla. It is an easy drinking wine, but for my palate does not compare to the Italian wines. Sorry. It is missing the earthiness that a good Chianti has. Also, it retails for about $25 which puts it in the same range as nice Italian Sangiovese wines. Stick with the true Italian wines.