Penrose Hill Firstleaf Scapolo’s Charm Review

Sangiovese is a great grape to get to know if you eat tomato-based Italian food (including pizza). It has acidity to hold up to what the tomatoes offer, but also has a nice medium body and mild fruitiness, making it interesting to drink.

Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick

Scapolo’s Charm

I did not photograph the back of this bottle.

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About this Wine

Wine: 2019 Scapolo’s Charm
Blend: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Rubicone IGT, Italy
Retail price: $19 / Member price: $14.99
I consumed it: September 2021
My source: Firstleaf

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From this wine club: Firstleaf

From this winery: Penrose Hill Firstleaf

Region: Italy

Wine color/style: Red wine

Grape variety or blend: Sangiovese

Tasting notes: Bright, Food friendly, Lightly fruity, Slightly sweet

Scapolo’s Charm: What I think

Rubicone IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) is in the central Italian region of Emilia-Romagna (where Lambrusco and Parmagiano-Reggiano come from). The IGT designation was created to allow winemakers to produce wine outside the more well-known DOC laws. Rubicone winemakers are allowed to work with 40 varieties (most of which are native Italian grapes) but include French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.

Sangiovese is a great grape to get to know if you eat tomato-based Italian food (including pizza). It has acidity to hold up to what the tomatoes offer, but also has a nice medium body and mild fruitiness, making it interesting to drink.

This Sangiovese offered a little sweetness on top of the acidity which distracted me from the nice structure of the tannins and savory notes. But, as $15 red wine goes, I gave this a thumbs up. I’m pretty picky about red wine under $20, unless it comes from Spain where it’s almost always a good value.

Last updated: August 2, 2023

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