Paolo Bea
San Valentino Sangiovese Blend
Umbria, Italy
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 San Valentino pours a slightly hazy, ruby color with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, red fruit: sour Montmorency cherry, wood varnish, horse blanket, black licorice, old wood, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. One of the more wild vintages of San Valentino I’ve ever had and this bottle wasn’t quite as good as the one I had a couple years back. Drink now and enjoy what nature gave to Paolo and Giampiero.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 San Valentino pours a slightly hazy, ruby color with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, red fruit: sour Montmorency cherry, wood varnish, horse blanket, black licorice, old wood, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. One of the more wild vintages of San Valentino I’ve ever had and this bottle wasn’t quite as good as the one I had a couple years back. Drink now and enjoy what nature gave to Paolo and Giampiero.
Jan 5th, 2025Absolutely gorgeous, lively red and black fruits with citrus and herbaceous tones, great BBQ accompaniment
Absolutely gorgeous, lively red and black fruits with citrus and herbaceous tones, great BBQ accompaniment
May 11th, 2024Popped and poured; enjoyed over two hours. The 2017 “San Valentino” pours a slightly hazy garnet color with a watery rim and a translucent core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this is the mousiest Bea I can recall in some time. Thankfully there is plenty of other interests. Powerful notes of dark cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, and spiced kofta. There is some VA too but what do you expect? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed and the finish is long savory. Another lovely edition of San Valentino that perhaps reveals the natural approach of the Beas more than other recent examples but there is no shortage of style, soul and pleasure. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two hours. The 2017 “San Valentino” pours a slightly hazy garnet color with a watery rim and a translucent core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, this is the mousiest Bea I can recall in some time. Thankfully there is plenty of other interests. Powerful notes of dark cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, and spiced kofta. There is some VA too but what do you expect? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed and the finish is long savory. Another lovely edition of San Valentino that perhaps reveals the natural approach of the Beas more than other recent examples but there is no shortage of style, soul and pleasure. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
Feb 16th, 2023
The 2017 Rosso San Valentino is an exotic beauty, mixing hints of blood orange with wild berries and balsam herbs. It washes across the palate with silky textures and polished red and black fruits that leave a staining of minerals, all nicely balanced by a twang of zesty citrus. It finishes lightly structured and incredibly long; a hint of primary concentration creates a cheek-puckering sensation. I would never guess this was the product of such a warm and dry vintage. The 2017 is a spectacular San Valentino. It is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino. (Eric Guido, Vinous, November 2022)
The 2017 Rosso San Valentino is an exotic beauty, mixing hints of blood orange with wild berries and balsam herbs. It washes across the palate with silky textures and polished red and black fruits that leave a staining of minerals, all nicely balanced by a twang of zesty citrus. It finishes lightly structured and incredibly long; a hint of primary concentration creates a cheek-puckering sensation. I would never guess this was the product of such a warm and dry vintage. The 2017 is a spectacular San Valentino. It is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino. (Eric Guido, Vinous, November 2022)
Like the Pipparello, this is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano. Unlike the Pipparello, this one sees no oak.
The savory nose is full of cherries, earth, and herbal spices. Very deep and complex. On the palate the acidity is noticeably higher. Intense and brooding. Powerful dusty tannins.
A wine making tour de force.
Like the Pipparello, this is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano. Unlike the Pipparello, this one sees no oak.
The savory nose is full of cherries, earth, and herbal spices. Very deep and complex. On the palate the acidity is noticeably higher. Intense and brooding. Powerful dusty tannins.
A wine making tour de force.
Barn yard funk on the nose, fruit forward tart cherry and raspberry. Wet earth and wild herbs swirling in the background.
Barn yard funk on the nose, fruit forward tart cherry and raspberry. Wet earth and wild herbs swirling in the background.
Dec 10th, 2022