I have a soft spot for Leonetti Sangiovese. Easily one of the finest examples of new world Sangio, there are really only a few wineries that can produce this varietal at this level. In Washington there are no other wineries that come close to producing this level of Sangiovese in terms of depth, concentration and flavor/aromatic range. These wines can age so gracefully as I found as I tasted through a range of their 2013-2018 vintages.
Leonetti Sangiovese needs a few years after it is released to fully mature. In its youth the wine is typically too tannic and the acidity also needs a bit more time to soften. Trust me, after several years of bottle age, you will be well-rewarded. Tasting through the vintages of Leonetti Sanigo, I had little surprises. I adored the 2012 Leonetti Sangiovese (OB, 95) which is really peaking now at the ten year mark and is wonderfully round, soft and generous. 2013 is an overlooked vintage but the vintage for reds has turned out to be every bit as good as 2012 — if not better! I adore where the 2014 Leonetti Sangiovese (OB, 96) is drinking. This beauty has 5% Aglianico blended in and is very well-structured, having a long way to go now. I would consider drinking the excellent 2015 Leonetti Sangiovese (OB, 94) which is an awesome wine made in a tough vintage. Learn more about these beautiful wines at leonetticellar.com and here are my reviews of the incredible Leonetti Sangiovese vertical tasting.
2013 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- The recent wines tasted from the 2013 remind me that this year is every bit as good as the heralded 2012 vintage. The 2013 Leonetti Sangiovese is a beautiful example of this warm vintage. It is texturally seamless and polished with refined tannins that frame a brilliant core of red fruits, menthol and espresso grounds. No need to cellar this any longer as this outstanding Sangiovese will be best enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 95
2014 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- Ripe and plump, the 2014 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese has 5% Aglianico blended in. Store for 22 months in once filled French oak and neutral oval botti, this displays a fantastic bouquet with purple rose petals, black tea, exotic spices and dark raspberry notes. The palate is fresh and smooth with great viscosity. Layers of rich black and red fruits parade with chocolate and shades of black licorice on the palate. Seriously good now, this will easily go for another ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2015 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- The 2015 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese comes from this challenging vintage for red wines that saw a record early harvest. This edition has a high percentage (13%) of Aglianico blended in. It is very soft and round on the mouth, with good concentration and underlying acidity considering the heat of the vintage. Roasted dates, ripe fig and milk chocolate flavors with dusty tannins all combine on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2016 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- This 100% varietal 2016 Sangiovese was stored for 22 months in new and once-filled French oak barrels and neutral French oak barrels, puncheons, and oval botti before bottling. The nose comes off outrageously good. Black plum, cardamom, freshly tilled soils and shades of red rose petals all combine on the nose. The palate is very seamless with fantastic underlying tension. Deep and concentrated, with salty and stony undertones, this is gorgeous wine that is really peaking right now. Enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2017 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- This is now the second time in a year that I’ve had to visit this beautifully-structured wine. The downright delicious 2017 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese shows beautifully after about 30 minutes of air. Dark plum, pipe tobacco, and milk chocolate flavors all combine with copious minerals, refined tannins and excellent viscosity. Medium to full-bodied, this thing is really singing now at six years of age. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2018 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese- The utterly fabulous 2018 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese was sourced from the Holy Roller, Seven Hills and Loess vineyards. It is still very youthful and fresh once on the mouth and really needs about an hour of air before consuming. Ripe red currants, wet stone and shades of black licorice with tobacco leaf notes all combine on the palate. Showing brilliantly, this is going to be the most cellar-worthy wine of the tasting set. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 96