DOCStill huntingHard
San Gimignano DOC
The town is famous for its white Vernaccia, which carries a separate DOCG; this DOC covers everything else the same estates make, chiefly Sangiovese-based reds, rosato and Vin Santo. The reds are firm and dry in a Chianti mold: sour cherry, dried herbs, tobacco, medium-plus acidity and grippy tannin, sometimes softened with Merlot or Cabernet. Most of the well-known Vernaccia houses (Cesani, Panizzi, Montenidoli, Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara) make a red or a Vin Santo under this DOC, though many still prefer Toscana IGT for their top reds.
Still hunting
I'm still looking for a bottle of this.
If you make San Gimignano, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.
Can you help me get one?Bottles I'm chasing
| Producer | Wine | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cesani | San Gimignano Rosso Luenzo Sangiovese with Colorino and a little Cabernet from a well-regarded organic family estate; black cherry, cocoa, dried herbs, firm tannin. | $28 to $35 | Wine-Searcher |
| Panizzi | San Gimignano Rosso Riserva Folgore The town's most polished Vernaccia house also makes a Sangiovese-based riserva; plum, leather, tobacco and a long, tannic finish. | $35 to $45 | Wine-Searcher |
| Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara | San Gimignano Vin Santo Traditional Vin Santo from Malvasia and Trebbiano; dried apricot, walnut, caramel, oxidative and nutty; rare in the US. | $40 to $55 | Wine-Searcher |