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Wine Recommendation
Showket Vineyards
2003 Asante sana(Oakville ~ Napa Valley)
Asante sana, or “thank you very much” in Swahili, is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kal and Dorothy Showket came up with this name for their Tuscan-inspired blend after traveling in Africa, using it to express their gratitude to winemaker Heidi Barrett and the production team. The wine shares the same blend as the world’s second Super Tuscan wine, Tignanello – Sassicaia came first and is all about Bordeaux varietals, while Piero Antinori’s Tignanello focuses on his family’s local Sangiovese.
The Cal-Ital category has enjoyed tremendous growth, first fueled by the pre-Atkins growth of casual Italian eateries, and now by thirsty consumers looking for something new. California Sangioveses are basking under the sun, while the relatively new Super Tuscan inspired blends are poised to take center stage.
Only 530 cases of this complex, earthy wine were produced. With its tar, smoke, strawberry, cherry, black currant, and leafy notes, it is a slam dunk at the table with earthy lamb or eggplant-based dishes. Chewy fruit tannins are a nice counterpoint to Heidi’s signature ripe, soft, supple oak tannins.
Reviewed December 13, 2006 by Catherine Fallis.
Other reviewed wines from Showket Vineyards
The Wine
Winery: Showket Vineyards |
The Reviewer
Catherine Fallis
Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth. |