San Niklaw Despatch Sangiovese

San Niklaw Despatch Sangiovese

San Niklaw Wine Estate produces four estate wines each year: Contrada ta Fangu, a Syrah based wine, Despatch, a Sangiovese based wine, Kappella San Nicola, a Mourvedre based wine and a Vermentino called Neptunus.

The family owned property is located in the South-East corner of Malta where roads from Żejtun, Marsaxlokk and Marsascala converge. At the centre of the estate lies a 17th century chapel dedicated to St Nicholas attached to a country residence. The estate is composed of vineyards, an olive grove and a boutique winery, including an underground cellar dating back to the late 19th century. The vineyards were established in 2005 with the sole aim of producing estate grown world class wines.

The grape varieties of Syrah, Sangiovese, Mourvedre and Vermentino were carefully chosen to obtain maximum expression within the context of the terroir. In a quest to produce limited quantities wines with an absolute inclination towards quality. San Niklaw has been renovated to accommodate a new winery with modern facilities in order to achieve these goals. San Niklaw are committed to the conservation of the land passed on to them by their forefathers. Respect, passion and hard work are pursued for the excellence in these estate wines.

Tasting Notes

The grapes are entirely estate grown in order to ensure quality. San Niklaw does not purchase grapes from other vineyards. Grapes are hand-picked and a primary selection occurs in the vineyard. A secondary selection occurs at the winery to ensure that only optimal fruit enters the vinification process. A gentle crush is followed by delivery to stainless steel temperature controlled tanks that have been purposely chosen to enable vinification of small volumes reflecting vineyard parcels. The red wines are subsequently aged in French oak barriques for a minimum of 12 months in underground cellar while the Vermentino Neptunus is ready for bottling the following spring after having been matured on its lees. 

This Sangiovese Grosso clone is grown at the Ras il-Wied vineyard.

Colour: The wine is a clean ruby red colour.

Nose: The nose is elegant providing generous red fruit notes intertwined with spicy notes with particular prominence of fennel which is reminiscent of the Maltese countryside.

Palate: On the palate, this wine is well balanced and takes on pleasant oak aromas in the course of its ageing which complement its fruit and spice notes making it a refined experience.

Ageing: It may be drunk at once but will benefit from a period of aging of 5 - 10 years.

Best served with: This wine matches well with a variety of pasta, meats and mature cheeses.

Serving temperature: This wine should be drunk at a temperature of 16° - 18°C.