Cereghino-Smith Genoa Reserve 2008

I am in love with Paula and Fred of Cereghino-Smith Two really great people who make fabulous wine. There's not enough time in the world to hang out and have dinner with them.

I was down in New Paltz, and I stopped in Tom Edwards' Fox & Hound Wine Shop and I saw this wine I had never seen before from Cereghino-Smith called Genoa Reserve 2008. I thought, wow I have to try that. It had a cool label, and I was so curious.

So last night, we made two fresh pizzas with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, peppers, broccoli and one had sausage added. We had friends and family over, and we tore into the Genoa Reserve.

75% of the wine was from a Sangiovese Brunello Clone grown in Amador County, and 25% was from Lodi County, then barrel age in Canadian White Oak.

It was a big, deep purple wine, with hints of black raspberry, plum, and hints of cassis and prune, with a touch of vanilla. Smooth and big and flavorful, this was an excellent wine that too many people drank too fast! I only had the one bottle!

If you go and try this, you need to buy at least two bottles. One to tear through, because you'll like it so much, and another to have around so you can do it again!