“A special wine that shows how balance makes the difference. Each whiff brings intriguing aromas that all work in tandem with notes of black plum, cherry, wild thyme, dried rose and violet with a crushed rock mineral note that leads into the well-balanced, yet firm palate. Generous mixed-berry fruits on the palate yield to the savory and roasted-earth element on the classy finish.”

“The glass fills as if a bowl of cherries were present with fresh thyme, allspice and roasted coffee. Gripping and well structured, the palate is generous with its plum and other black-hued fruits that turn around a core of savory, herbal and earthy notes, finishing with firm tannins.”

“This darkly hued wine opens with rich aromas of macerated blackberries, preserves, pepper and clove with a hint of violets. The powerful palate is layered with black plums, dried herbs, baking spices and forest floor, all framed by classic firm Sagrantino tannins and finishing with balanced acidity.”

“Dense, full-bodied, with notes of cedar & pine on the nose winding through ripe crushed black cherry, plum & currant fruit. Fresh and tightly meshed, with appealing accents of red licorice, eucalyptus and graphite lingering on the firm finish.”

"The 2019 Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni is imposing, grumbling up with a dark blend of dried black cherries, crushed plums, sage, allspice and sweet mint. This is texturally thrilling, velvety yet cooling, weighty yet spry, washing across the palate with polished red and black fruits and slowly building black-tea tannins. A menagerie of spices lingers along tobacco and blood orange nuances, finishing with tremendous length and concentration. The balance is absolutely fantastic. This is a stunning performance."

"The 2019 Collepiano is incredibly pretty, with a whiff of wild strawberries complemented by chalk dust and sweet tobacco. This is pure class, silky and round, with brisk acidity motivating an elegant wave of ripe red and black fruits. Its spice box of a finish is long, leaving a web of fine-grained tannins tugging at the palate yet failing to slow the 2019’s momentum. The Collepiano will require a bit of cellaring to show its best."

"This forward and plump Sagrantino opens with juicy ripe black plums sprinkled with cracked black pepper, dried herbs and baking spices. The taut palate shows blackberry compote mixed with earthy spices, clove and dried flowers followed by well-defined tannins giving the wine a firm finish."

"Aromas of blackberry, cassis, and clove open the nose of this classic wine from Umbria. Firm and very structured, the wine's core is shaped by black-plum compote, with sweet spices, black pepper and dried thyme giving way to firm tannins and lifted acidity."

“This always offers a slightly more accessible and versatile personality that makes it easier to pair with your favorite meat-based dishes. This wine shows us how much depth and complexity can also be achieved with this combination of local varieties. The wine is intense and especially concentrated thanks to ripe fruit and careful oak aging. You feel the force of Sagrantino's tannic imprint, but that power is well managed and contained. With dark and chewy fruit, this is a wine you sink your teeth into.”

“A compact, full-bodied red, with a fragrant thread of anise hyssop and tar-tinged smoke wafting through blackberry, black currant, sandalwood and espresso crema. Fresh and focused, with firm tannins enmeshed with the rich flavor profile, which lingers on the spiced finish.”

“A lively, light- to medium-bodied white, offering generous tangerine and ruby red grapefruit fruit flavors that show accents of fresh herbs, spices and smoke, all backed by tangy acidity. Lightly chalky on the mouthwatering finish.”

“Like opening a mix of raspberry, wild berry and cherry jams, blended with minty herbs and hints of cacao, the 2017 Montefalco Sagrantino Passito totally captivates. It’s soft-textured, almost juicy in feel, with vivid red fruits and sweet spices offset by a hint of candied citrus. Licorice and sweet red berries linger, offset by a lovely bitter twang of tannin, the perfect balance of a Sagrantino Passito.”

“The 2021 Grecante is sweetly floral with ripe orchard fruits and hints of chamomile. This impresses with its soft, gentle textures and sweet inner spice. A bump of zesty acids comes through in the finale, along with a staining of salty minerals. It’s very pleasing.” 

“Takes its time opening in the glass, at first floral with a hint of red currants. Coaxing releases pretty notions of rose water, cinnamon and black cherries. It’s incredibly soft and round on the palate, also more finessed than expected, with pretty wild berry fruits and mineral underpinnings offset by a pleasant inner sweetness. A mix of plum and inner violet florals lingers, as the 2018 finishes lightly tannic yet fresh.”

The nose of the 2009 Sagrantino di Montefalco Spinning Beauty is more lifted and precise than the 2010 and 2008 beside it, showing a gorgeous mix of dusty florals and mineral-encased black cherry with hints of white smoke and savory herbs, in an expression that seems both sweet and savory. Here I’m finding silky textures that coat the palate in a mix of ripe berries, chalky minerals and wild herbs, as cool-toned acids add lift, leaving saturating spice and fine tannins. It’s wonderfully persistent, structured, yet also fresh, showing elegance and balance...

The truly captivating [wine] pulls you close to the glass with a beguiling bouquet that mixes citrus-tinged black fruits with exotic spices, hints of oregano, menthol and a dusting of cocoa. While there’s admirable weight and depth here, the textures are more like pure silk, delicately draped across the palate, yet leaving behind a saturating blend of intense dark fruits, minerals and fine-grained tannin...This is a fantastic rendition of Arnaldo Caprai’s 25 Anni.

Darkly alluring notes of plum and cherry sauce give way to balsamic spices and hints of mocha as the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino Collepiano blossoms in the glass. This is a deeply textural yet youthfully dense and poised expression, a wave of ripe black fruits, encased in a web of minerals, coasting along a core of brisk acids. Cooling hints of mint add lift through the massively structured finale, where sweet tobacco, baker’s chocolate and currants linger incredibly long...

Shows impenetrable depths of dark ruby in the glass, displaying a bouquet of ripe black cherries mixed with tobacco, hints of menthol, tobacco and cedar. Its velvety textures flood the palate with black cherries as penetrating acids cut through its creamy weight, bringing a mix of savory spice and herbal tones, and tannins slowly settle in with each sip. This tapers off long, staining the palate with a mix of black and red fruits, yet it’s firm and intense, as its tannic heft dominates, ending with spicy oak and the slightest whiff of heat.

Tart black cherries, clove, cinnamon, mint and a dusting of cacao create an inviting display as the 2015 Montefalco Rosso Riserva unfolds in the glass. This shows undeniable elegance, as silky textures usher in a polished display of ripe red fruits, spices and hints of tobacco. Tension builds through the close, as sweet tannins saturate, balanced by lively acids, while leaving vivid notes of plum and salted licorice to linger.

Wonderfully fresh and perfumed, the 2020 Grecante Grechetto lifts from the glass with a display of sweet white flowers, peach skins and raw almonds. It boasts silky, nearly glycerol-like textures, yet it remains lifted and spry throughout, as ripe tangerine and hints of candied lime soothe the senses. A buzz of residual acids and tart green apple lingers long as this tapers off to a flourish of salty minerals and spice. This Grecante really wows in the context of its price point.