Paolo Bea
San Valentino Sangiovese Blend
Umbria, Italy
It was a Paolo Bea kind of night. What an incredible bouquet on the 2012 San Valentino. Coming in at 1.5% less ABV than the previous vintage, and showing depths of dark, earthy, almost animal-like complexities. Here I'm finding balsamic spice over dried strawberries, with moist dark soil tones, crushed stone, dusty dried florals, and hints of brown sugar. On the palate, silky textures flood the senses with flavors of sour cherry, tangerine, savory spice, and masses of exotic inner florals, as zesty acids make the mouth water, while concentrated tart red fruits and hints of tannin tugg at the side of my cheeks. The finish is long, zesty, spicy, and tart, yet still so energetic, as the wines vibrant acids refuse to give in to the intensity within. The result id a spell-binding and tactile experience that is impossible not to like, and easily one of my favorite vintages to date for San Valentino.
It was a Paolo Bea kind of night. What an incredible bouquet on the 2012 San Valentino. Coming in at 1.5% less ABV than the previous vintage, and showing depths of dark, earthy, almost animal-like complexities. Here I'm finding balsamic spice over dried strawberries, with moist dark soil tones, crushed stone, dusty dried florals, and hints of brown sugar. On the palate, silky textures flood the senses with flavors of sour cherry, tangerine, savory spice, and masses of exotic inner florals, as zesty acids make the mouth water, while concentrated tart red fruits and hints of tannin tugg at the side of my cheeks. The finish is long, zesty, spicy, and tart, yet still so energetic, as the wines vibrant acids refuse to give in to the intensity within. The result id a spell-binding and tactile experience that is impossible not to like, and easily one of my favorite vintages to date for San Valentino.
May 2nd, 2020
Brett’s. Very good but really needs time to move towards greatness.
Brett’s. Very good but really needs time to move towards greatness.
Jun 16th, 2019
My second of four bottles purchased (so far). The first bottle was overrun by brett and smelled like a stockyard. This bottle, however, was amazing and wild AF. Popped and poured, aromas of orange rind, grapefruit, pineapple (fight me), dark fruits, teriyaki...I mean...seriously? Finish has this immediate savory thing going on. And it all works folks. Enjoyed over three hours and it just got better and better. Killer vintage for San Valentino.
My second of four bottles purchased (so far). The first bottle was overrun by brett and smelled like a stockyard. This bottle, however, was amazing and wild AF. Popped and poured, aromas of orange rind, grapefruit, pineapple (fight me), dark fruits, teriyaki...I mean...seriously? Finish has this immediate savory thing going on. And it all works folks. Enjoyed over three hours and it just got better and better. Killer vintage for San Valentino.
1 person found it helpfulMay 28th, 2019
Can’t get enough of this wine. Full bodied, highly aromatic, and goes on for days. Also in the more affordable range of Paolo Bea’s wines too.
Can’t get enough of this wine. Full bodied, highly aromatic, and goes on for days. Also in the more affordable range of Paolo Bea’s wines too.
Dec 4th, 2020
The right amount of barnyard funk that gradually recedes with cut strawberries and cherry liqueur, a hint of tobacco and a spicy finish. Love the Bea.
The right amount of barnyard funk that gradually recedes with cut strawberries and cherry liqueur, a hint of tobacco and a spicy finish. Love the Bea.
Nov 13th, 2020
Bea & Nothingness? No nausea here, just funky & beautifully structured blend of Sangiovese, montepulciano d’abruzzo, & sagrantino. 3 hour decant. Fascinating nose of balsa wood, cherry, herbs, barnyard. Palate is a shapeshifter, White pepper, violet, cherry, acidic undergirding and a pummeling tannic finish. Drink now with a decant or hold for a decade or more. Believe the hype.
Bea & Nothingness? No nausea here, just funky & beautifully structured blend of Sangiovese, montepulciano d’abruzzo, & sagrantino. 3 hour decant. Fascinating nose of balsa wood, cherry, herbs, barnyard. Palate is a shapeshifter, White pepper, violet, cherry, acidic undergirding and a pummeling tannic finish. Drink now with a decant or hold for a decade or more. Believe the hype.
Feb 24th, 2020
The ultimate food wine. Love anything from Paolo Bea.
The ultimate food wine. Love anything from Paolo Bea.
Jan 3rd, 2020
Delicious natural wine- well balanced and a crowd favorite
Delicious natural wine- well balanced and a crowd favorite
Dec 18th, 2019Very impressed with this wine, especially for the price (of Paolo Bea). Unrelentless aromas of dark fruit wafting on the nose with a palette to match. Enough tannins to structure well.
Very impressed with this wine, especially for the price (of Paolo Bea). Unrelentless aromas of dark fruit wafting on the nose with a palette to match. Enough tannins to structure well.
Nov 25th, 2019