Crittenden Estate 2007 Pinocchio Sangiovese

It's been a while since I've had time to sit down and do a review and I apologise to followers of this blog for that, but now here I am and with a commitment to try to get 2 done a week dependant on my work loads and drinking patterns. I'm also here with a interesting little wine which to be honest I'm still making my mind up about.

I first saw this wine in a restaurant at pub and purchased a bottle without blinking and also every time we went back to eat, then today as I strolled through my local Celebrations store it caught my eye again and I couldn't resist grabbing a bottle as my fiance really loves it, although upon sampling I fear this is a different vintage to the one we are used to at that restaurant and perhaps from a different region, this one is a Heathcote and the 08 is King Valley.

This wine is fairly attractive in the glass, a light cherry to ruby red with flashes of rust toward the rims it appears quite clear but on further inspection is actually quite opaque, not the only little surprise this wine holds. Almost non existant legs confirming the 13.5% alcohol as per the label. A pronounced earthy nose with dark berries and tobacco as quiet secondary notes lead you to a dry yet overal attractive aroma. Dry grainy tannins engulf your palate, young sour cherry flavours come through with earthy spice on the finish of this light bodied wine with unexpected excellent fruity length. A great representation of this interesting little varietal.

In short a more traditional sangiovese than I had expected when I picked the bottle up. Very dry grainy wine that really won't please a lot of people's palates although if dry is your bag then you'll love this little baby. There is a fruitiness that is very pleasant and great cherry flavours that linger for quite some time.

I've not been able to find any reviews by major critics but the 2008 got an 89/100 in the Gourmet Traveller. I'd really only be able to give this a very generous 7/10 and whole heartedly believe it would have been a lot better a year or so ago and 100 times better with food. Saying that if I can get hold of a 2008 I definitely will give it a shot as I am sure I had a much better opinion of this wine at that restaurant.

At $20 a bottle it wouldn't be that much of an expensive mistake if you wanted to try this out but definitely don't pay any more than that for it and definitely don't rush out and grab a bottle as there is plenty of better ways to spend $20 like perhaps on the 08 vintage. You should be able to get it from the winery directly in its current vintage or www.mywinestore.com.au also keeps stock in minimum quantities of 3 at a time. Expect to pay $35 + in a restaurant.

As always good luck with your purchase decisions, don't let me turn you off this wine completely but perhaps try the 08, happy drinking and good health.