In 1995, Steve Clifton launched Palmina with what was intended to be the first and only wine: Alisos. Alisos is a purely Palmina wine in that it was not modeled after any other Italian blend. The intent of this blend has always been one of extreme focus - a stylistic wine of concentration and structure that showcases the best of both the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietals. While many Super Tuscans are Sangiovese based, Alisos is unique in that it has the addition of appassimento Sangiovese. Appassimento is a labor-intensive process originating in the Veneto region of Italy which involves the drying of fruit prior to fermentation. While a very small amount of appassimento Sangiovese is added (5%), it gives the wine unique richness and depth.