2019 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
On the nose, one may find aromas of caramel, toffee, dried fig, and dried cherry that evolve on the palate into flavors of red cherry/strawberry fruit, burnt brown sugar, and chewy chalky tannins that persist on the palate, showing this varietal’s characteristic balance between opulence and austerity. Our 2019 Sagrantino is dry and rich in the mouth, elegant, tannic, tangy, and fruity, making it a great food wine, pairing well with prosciutto, sausage, pastas, and sweet pastries. Salute!
Specs
Varietals: Sagrantino
Winemakers: Dick Handal & Lucas Meeker
Harvest date: September 2019
In the Cellar: Fermentation in open top tanks with manual punch down 2-4 times a day
Fermentation: 10 days
Oak Regimen: 22 months in French and American oak
Alcohol: 15%
pH: 3.80
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Bottled: August 2021
2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Gold, North Coast Wine Festival 2025 91 Points, Gold, Harvest Fair 2024
Tasting Notes
On the nose, one may find aromas of caramel, fig, and dried cherry that evolve on the palate into flavors of red cherry/strawberry fruit, burnt brown sugar, and chewy chalky tannins that persist on the palate, showing this varietal’s characteristic balance between opulence and austerity. Our 2018 Sagrantino is fruit and rich in the mouth, elegant, tannic, and tangy, making it a great food wine, pairing well with cured meats, sausage, pastas, biscotti, and sweet pastries. Salute!
Specs
Varietals: Sagrantino
Winemaker: Dick Handal, Lucas Meeker, David Noyes, Consulting Winemaker
Harvest date: September 21, 2018
In the Cellar: Fermentation in open top tanks with manual punch down 2-4 times a day
Fermentation: 10 days
Oak Regimen: 22 months in French and American oak
Alcohol: 15.3%
pH: 3.80
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Bottled: July 2020
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2019 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
2x 2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County Case:
6x 2019 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
6x 2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $480/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Handal-Denier Vineyards
For over twenty years, we were primarily grape growers selling our premium grapes to some of the best wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties, with whom we have long-standing relationships. One of our client-wineries was Wellington Vineyards in Glen Ellen, owned by the Wellington family of Sonoma. Peter Wellington, owner-winemaker, produced award-winning, vineyard-specific Cabernet Sauvignons, including one from our Dry Creek Vineyard. Peter Wellington helped us develop and make our wines. We grew and produced boutique lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Sagrantino, and Zinfandel at the Wellington facility in Glen Ellen. Currently, we produce our selection of wines at Meeker Winery custom crush facility in Healdsburg.
Though no longer farmers, we source grapes from our farming colleagues in the counties throughout California that follow high standards that include organic practices and support sustainability. These farming relationships ensure that our grapes will continue to produce award-winning premium wines. We make single varietal wine as well as award-winning blends.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Denier-Handal Sagrantino - $59 = 23.69%
Reverse Wine Snob offered the 2018 in a mixed pack back in April:
The 2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino is another young wine that needs some time to open up. Once it does, it features a really savory, succulent aroma of black cherry, spice, cinnamon, a little anise, cedar, licorice, some floral notes and lots of other touches as you sniff and swirl. It’s a fantastic start.
Tasting the wine reveals it to be smooth, tannic and delicious! With similar flavors to the nose and plenty of big tannins (which we love), this is not for the light of heart. Luckily at 7 years of age the tannins are starting to lessen and smooth out a bit making this a pretty approachable example of Sagrantino for those new to the variety.
It just kept getting better the longer it was open. And as good as it is now I’m guessing it’s got another 3-4 years to go before it hits its peak and plenty of prime drinking years after that.
It ends long, dry and very grippy on the harmonious finish and it was even better on day 2.
2018, some medals:
Gold Medal Winner – 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal Winner – 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
I learned that time is eternal from the KLF, also known as the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu. So this wine’s gotta be good.
I’ve never had a bottle from Denier-Handal that I haven’t like, excited to try this new to me varietal.
I was lucky to receive the 2019 Denier-Handel Sagratino for review.
Nose: Earthy and notes of plum and herbs.
Color: Medium to dark ruby and slightly purple.
I’m new to Sagratino, and the first taste was full bodied and smooth, with medium to high tannins. The taste was consistent with the nose as the plum came through again. This wasn’t bright fruit but a deeper flavor. This would be better paired with food due to the higher tannins. Overall, I enjoyed it and the pricing was consistent with my expectations.
@GraysonM Thanks for the review. Since I’ve never even heard of the grape before, are there any other reds that it would be even remotely similar to? Always looking to expand what I drink
Sagrantino isn’t an exact twin of any other grape, but it shares qualities with a few:
• Nebbiolo (Piedmont): Similar in high tannin, firm structure, and long-lived potential. But Nebbiolo has more floral and tar notes, while Sagrantino is darker and more brooding.
• Aglianico (Campania/Basilicata): Another southern Italian powerhouse—dark, bold, and tannic. Sagrantino can resemble Aglianico in intensity and rustic strength.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: In its richness, dark fruit, and structure, Sagrantino can feel “Cab-like,” though it usually carries a more earthy, leathery Italian character.
• Syrah/Shiraz: Some versions, especially when modern-styled, can echo Syrah’s dark fruit, spice, and savory edges.
@Leatherchair@user33071884 don’t drink a ton of either, but the comparison to aglianaco would be the best my humble. I prefer aglianaco as they tend to be a bit more approachable. Also never had any USA versions, only Italian. So probably a worthless comment but I’m ok with that!!
I love Deerfield Malbec and was told this would be right up my alley. Also it’s such a rare find as Sagrantino are very rare outside Italy and tend to be pretty expensive. It was one I felt compelled to add to my cellar and apparently it’s very long lived.
Development Over Time
• Young (0–5 years): Dense fruit, raw tannins, often hard and closed. Needs air or hearty food.
• Middle (6–15 years): Tannins integrate, fruit softens, spice and earthy notes emerge. This is often the “sweet spot” for drinking.
• Mature (15–30+ years): Fruit becomes secondary, replaced by leather, dried herbs, balsamic tones, truffle, and elegant structure.
In short: a good Sagrantino can outlast most Cabernets and rival Barolo in longevity. But they really reward patience — drinking too young can feel like chewing on oak and tannin.
This is true. Our 2017 is just now tasting wonderful and we are almost sold out. We tried these latest vintages side by side and agreed that the 2019 will develop as the 2017 had and age well. The 2018 is a great wine too but much softer and more approachable to new fans of the grape.
Both vintages pair nicely with a variety of foods which is where my head is at most of the time.
Don Angelo Massi, our friend from Umbria, used to tell us to be patient. This wine would tell us when it’s time to drink it. Angelo loved drinking this wine with a hearty porchetta sandwich.
These vintages are the last of that vineyard that he oversaw the planting of. Only a handful of Sagrantino growers existed at that time, my father being one of them.
I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Dick Handal at Locals. Loved his wines and his company. But I don’t think I tried his Sagrantino. So…
/giphy finicky-renowned-advice
2019 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Gold, North Coast Wine Festival 2025
91 Points, Gold, Harvest Fair 2024
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $480/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 22 - Tuesday, Sep 23
Denier-Handal Sagrantino
4 bottles for $82.99 $20.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino
2019 Denier-Handal Sagrantino
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Denier-Handal Sagrantino - $59 = 23.69%
Reverse Wine Snob offered the 2018 in a mixed pack back in April:
The 2018 Denier-Handal Sagrantino is another young wine that needs some time to open up. Once it does, it features a really savory, succulent aroma of black cherry, spice, cinnamon, a little anise, cedar, licorice, some floral notes and lots of other touches as you sniff and swirl. It’s a fantastic start.
Tasting the wine reveals it to be smooth, tannic and delicious! With similar flavors to the nose and plenty of big tannins (which we love), this is not for the light of heart. Luckily at 7 years of age the tannins are starting to lessen and smooth out a bit making this a pretty approachable example of Sagrantino for those new to the variety.
It just kept getting better the longer it was open. And as good as it is now I’m guessing it’s got another 3-4 years to go before it hits its peak and plenty of prime drinking years after that.
It ends long, dry and very grippy on the harmonious finish and it was even better on day 2.
2018, some medals:
Gold Medal Winner – 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal Winner – 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Gold Medal, 91 Points – 2025 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
That’s about it…
fwiw
I remember having a couple of these from a previous vintage and really enjoying it.
temporal-absent-turtle
I learned that time is eternal from the KLF, also known as the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu. So this wine’s gotta be good.
I’ve never had a bottle from Denier-Handal that I haven’t like, excited to try this new to me varietal.
@SmilingBoognish
Ancients of Mu recommended, Tammy Wynette approved!
I was lucky to receive the 2019 Denier-Handel Sagratino for review.
Nose: Earthy and notes of plum and herbs.
Color: Medium to dark ruby and slightly purple.
I’m new to Sagratino, and the first taste was full bodied and smooth, with medium to high tannins. The taste was consistent with the nose as the plum came through again. This wasn’t bright fruit but a deeper flavor. This would be better paired with food due to the higher tannins. Overall, I enjoyed it and the pricing was consistent with my expectations.
@GraysonM Thanks for the review. Since I’ve never even heard of the grape before, are there any other reds that it would be even remotely similar to? Always looking to expand what I drink
New to me, but found this:
Comparisons
Sagrantino isn’t an exact twin of any other grape, but it shares qualities with a few:
• Nebbiolo (Piedmont): Similar in high tannin, firm structure, and long-lived potential. But Nebbiolo has more floral and tar notes, while Sagrantino is darker and more brooding.
• Aglianico (Campania/Basilicata): Another southern Italian powerhouse—dark, bold, and tannic. Sagrantino can resemble Aglianico in intensity and rustic strength.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: In its richness, dark fruit, and structure, Sagrantino can feel “Cab-like,” though it usually carries a more earthy, leathery Italian character.
• Syrah/Shiraz: Some versions, especially when modern-styled, can echo Syrah’s dark fruit, spice, and savory edges.
Needless to say, I ordered a case.
@user33071884 Thank you for these notes and your support!
@user33071884 thanks for the research and detail. I appreciate it
@Leatherchair @user33071884 don’t drink a ton of either, but the comparison to aglianaco would be the best my humble. I prefer aglianaco as they tend to be a bit more approachable. Also never had any USA versions, only Italian. So probably a worthless comment but I’m ok with that!!
@kaolis @user33071884 I appreciate your comparison. Thank you
I love Deerfield Malbec and was told this would be right up my alley. Also it’s such a rare find as Sagrantino are very rare outside Italy and tend to be pretty expensive. It was one I felt compelled to add to my cellar and apparently it’s very long lived.
Development Over Time
• Young (0–5 years): Dense fruit, raw tannins, often hard and closed. Needs air or hearty food.
• Middle (6–15 years): Tannins integrate, fruit softens, spice and earthy notes emerge. This is often the “sweet spot” for drinking.
• Mature (15–30+ years): Fruit becomes secondary, replaced by leather, dried herbs, balsamic tones, truffle, and elegant structure.
In short: a good Sagrantino can outlast most Cabernets and rival Barolo in longevity. But they really reward patience — drinking too young can feel like chewing on oak and tannin.
@user33071884
This is true. Our 2017 is just now tasting wonderful and we are almost sold out. We tried these latest vintages side by side and agreed that the 2019 will develop as the 2017 had and age well. The 2018 is a great wine too but much softer and more approachable to new fans of the grape.
Both vintages pair nicely with a variety of foods which is where my head is at most of the time.
@thumperchick
Don Angelo Massi, our friend from Umbria, used to tell us to be patient. This wine would tell us when it’s time to drink it. Angelo loved drinking this wine with a hearty porchetta sandwich.
These vintages are the last of that vineyard that he oversaw the planting of. Only a handful of Sagrantino growers existed at that time, my father being one of them.
@denierhandal What happened to the vineyard?
I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Dick Handal at Locals. Loved his wines and his company. But I don’t think I tried his Sagrantino. So…
/giphy finicky-renowned-advice
This is very late but if anyone in SE Michigan buys and wants to offload 4-6, I’m your guy.
@jrbw3 I bought a case, I’m happy to split and if we get one more interested I’d be ok with 4.
@jrbw3 thanks all. I’m all set now.
/giphy spicy-foxy-sorcerer
We sold our vineyard in 2018 and the new owners didn’t know a lick about Sagrantino and pulled out the vines. Tragedy.
@denierhandal
But yet you produced a '19.
Still had a contract for the grapes?