2018 Muscardini Sangiovese, Ruby Grapes Vineyard, Central Coast
Tasting Notes
This stunning 2018 vintage opens with aromas of ripe red berries, mocha, fresh herbs, and baking spices. On the palate, robust notes of dark cherry, cranberry, plum, and raspberry are accented with lively hints of cinnamon, clove, and wild sage. Together, these flavors are balanced with a lush texture, silky tannins, and bright acidity. Pairs well with wild mushroom risotto, prosciutto pizza, slow-roasted pork tenderloin, and aged pecorino or asiago cheese.
Vineyard
Ruby Grape Vineyards is located in Livermore Valley within the larger Central Coast appellation. The east-west orientation of the valley allows the coastal fog and marine breezes to come in from the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay and cool the valley’s warm air, resulting in warm days and cool nights - ideal conditions for producing fully-ripened, balanced fruit. The vineyard soil is primarily gravel with excellent drainage, a soil type that reduces the vines’ vigor and increases flavor concentration in the grapes.
Vintage
To honor his family heritage of drinking fine red wines in Italy, Michael Muscardini produces the revered Italian varietal Sangiovese as one of his flagship wines at Muscardini Cellars. This 2018 vintage is an exceptional wine consisting of 100% Sangiovese.
Specs
Harvested: September 2018
Bottled: August 1, 2022
Alcohol: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 500
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2018 Muscardini Sangiovese, Ruby Grapes Vineyard, Central Coast Case:
12x 2018 Muscardini Sangiovese, Ruby Grapes Vineyard, Central Coast
With a focus on tradition and family, relationships are at the heart of Muscardini Cellars, and at that heart’s core are the relationships that proprietor, Michael Muscardini has cultivated in the vineyards with the growers he receives phenomenal fruit every year. Michael Muscardini’s passion for Old World varietals extends beyond crafting exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, Brunello-style vintages, and Super Tuscan-style wines. Muscardini Cellars wine conjures up a la dolce vita celebration, which reflects Michael’s indefatigable tasting and lifestyle research on his sojourns to Italy.
Michael has forged deep relationships with Sonoma growers since founding Muscardini Cellars more than fifteen years ago. These close ties have established consistent sourcing of some of the area’s finest fruit in pursuit of superb Italian blends and non-Italian varietals, met with an Italian winemaking approach. The results of these collaborations have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Michael Muscardini founded Muscardini Cellars to celebrate family, fellowship, and the storied Italian culture. Inspired by his grandfather and frequently extended holidays to Tuscany, Michael Muscardini remains committed to blazing his own trail, crafting highly regarded single vineyard varietals and robust Italian blends.
From our family to your family.
Michael Muscardini shares his zest for life and profound appreciation for the fruit of the vine with the Muscardini Cellars wine portfolio, which consists of mostly single-vineyard, limited-production wines. The mission of Muscardini Cellars is to culminate the knowledge, tradition, and respect of more than a century of family experience in the industry with wines that artfully capture flavor and spirit.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Got to try this 2018 Sangiovese tonight after dinner, when I opened the just delivered box at 5 the wine was warm but not hot in its little styrofoam shipping sleeve, so it went into the fridge for a bit.
Opened up at 7 after dinner was cleaned up, my younger son booted up Silk Song and I enjoyed the wine while watching and marveling how good my 10 year old can be at a video game that looks very difficult to me.
Vineyard designate is Ruby Grape Vineyard which I’ve never heard of, clocks in at 14.2% alcohol. The wine poured clear and medium/light ruby red. The nose is strong showing a little age with a lot of spice, ripe black cherry and a little wood.
Tasting the wine it’s dry, medium bodied, moderate acidity, moderate drying tannins, flavorful and I’d say moderately balanced. The flavors are basically the same as the nose, with no real noticeable alcohol. I wish I had chilled it down a little more, the acidity would have shown a little better, at the temp I drank it, it felt a little flabby.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Muscardini Cellars Sangiovese - $85 = 30.35%
Used to be a member of the wine club, until I had to downsize my purchasing. Never had a bad bottle, but was a member of too many clubs and he didn’t make the cut. (only Corison and Acquiesce did).
At $17/btl for a case, might have to go in for one.
Cracked the 2018 Muscardini Sangiovese and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. Thin and almost vanishing on the first sip (for me), then all the weight hits on the finish. Prune/dried fruit backbone, with cranberry, cherry, cinnamon, and clove coming through, plus a gingery nutmeg/baking spice note on the nose. More about the lingering finish than the upfront sip — definitely keeps you thinking. I will say I consumed this within 10 minutes of getting home from a 5 mile run. Will try more of this beauty today and provide updates.
Overall a nice bottle. Not my personal preference. Very silky and agreeable but I tend to prefer heavy and more aggressive. The Mrs enjoyed her glass very much.
Reverse Wine Snob, part of a mixed two pack, May '25:
These are wines to impress that have serious cellar potential. The harmonious and juicy Sangiovese was aged a total of 4 years before release and only 500 cases were produced. It is one of the flagship wines from Sangiovese expert Michael Muscardini and retails for $46. We give it a high 9 Taste Rating (92-93 points).
The aromatic 2018 Muscardini Ruby Grapes Vineyard Sangiovese opens with harmonious notes of red and black cherry, baking spice, licorice, a little cedar and a little vanilla. Full of depth, it’s a great start!
Taking a sip of the wine reveals it to be smooth, silky, juicy and delicious with similar flavors to the nose. Balanced and with good acidity, this is quite a nice example of Sangiovese.
It ends dry, long, grippy and juicy on the very satisfying finish and it was just as good on day 2. This is lovely and delicious stuff!
I have been a Muscardini club member for 3+ years, and until quite recently had never seen nor heard of this particular wine. It is not listed on their website nor did I ever see it in the tasting room until we visited about three months ago. There were a bunch of cases off in a corner being offered I believe for a similar case price as here today. It was not included in our tasting, so I asked one of the employees about it. They gave me a sort of “don’t buy this” expression, but offered me a taste to try it. It was not horrible, but in my opinion not worth it even it this price. I love a good Sangiovese, but this wouldn’t even make the cut for me as a pizza wine. Would not be bad to make a sangria or use for cooking, but is not on par (in my opinion) with rest of the Muscardini portfolio which is excellent.
2018 Muscardini Sangiovese, Ruby Grapes Vineyard, Central Coast
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Vintage
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$552.00/Case for 12x 2018 Muscardini Sangiovese, Ruby Grapes Vineyard, Central Coast at Muscardini Cellars
About The Winery
From our family to your family.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 29 - Tuesday, Sep 30
2018 Muscardini Cellars Sangiovese
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $194.99 $16.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Got to try this 2018 Sangiovese tonight after dinner, when I opened the just delivered box at 5 the wine was warm but not hot in its little styrofoam shipping sleeve, so it went into the fridge for a bit.
Opened up at 7 after dinner was cleaned up, my younger son booted up Silk Song and I enjoyed the wine while watching and marveling how good my 10 year old can be at a video game that looks very difficult to me.
Vineyard designate is Ruby Grape Vineyard which I’ve never heard of, clocks in at 14.2% alcohol. The wine poured clear and medium/light ruby red. The nose is strong showing a little age with a lot of spice, ripe black cherry and a little wood.
Tasting the wine it’s dry, medium bodied, moderate acidity, moderate drying tannins, flavorful and I’d say moderately balanced. The flavors are basically the same as the nose, with no real noticeable alcohol. I wish I had chilled it down a little more, the acidity would have shown a little better, at the temp I drank it, it felt a little flabby.
Cheers!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Muscardini Cellars Sangiovese - $85 = 30.35%
Used to be a member of the wine club, until I had to downsize my purchasing. Never had a bad bottle, but was a member of too many clubs and he didn’t make the cut. (only Corison and Acquiesce did).
At $17/btl for a case, might have to go in for one.
Cracked the 2018 Muscardini Sangiovese and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. Thin and almost vanishing on the first sip (for me), then all the weight hits on the finish. Prune/dried fruit backbone, with cranberry, cherry, cinnamon, and clove coming through, plus a gingery nutmeg/baking spice note on the nose. More about the lingering finish than the upfront sip — definitely keeps you thinking. I will say I consumed this within 10 minutes of getting home from a 5 mile run. Will try more of this beauty today and provide updates.
Overall a nice bottle. Not my personal preference. Very silky and agreeable but I tend to prefer heavy and more aggressive. The Mrs enjoyed her glass very much.
Reverse Wine Snob, part of a mixed two pack, May '25:
These are wines to impress that have serious cellar potential. The harmonious and juicy Sangiovese was aged a total of 4 years before release and only 500 cases were produced. It is one of the flagship wines from Sangiovese expert Michael Muscardini and retails for $46. We give it a high 9 Taste Rating (92-93 points).
The aromatic 2018 Muscardini Ruby Grapes Vineyard Sangiovese opens with harmonious notes of red and black cherry, baking spice, licorice, a little cedar and a little vanilla. Full of depth, it’s a great start!
Taking a sip of the wine reveals it to be smooth, silky, juicy and delicious with similar flavors to the nose. Balanced and with good acidity, this is quite a nice example of Sangiovese.
It ends dry, long, grippy and juicy on the very satisfying finish and it was just as good on day 2. This is lovely and delicious stuff!
fwiw
I have been a Muscardini club member for 3+ years, and until quite recently had never seen nor heard of this particular wine. It is not listed on their website nor did I ever see it in the tasting room until we visited about three months ago. There were a bunch of cases off in a corner being offered I believe for a similar case price as here today. It was not included in our tasting, so I asked one of the employees about it. They gave me a sort of “don’t buy this” expression, but offered me a taste to try it. It was not horrible, but in my opinion not worth it even it this price. I love a good Sangiovese, but this wouldn’t even make the cut for me as a pizza wine. Would not be bad to make a sangria or use for cooking, but is not on par (in my opinion) with rest of the Muscardini portfolio which is excellent.
How did I miss this!??