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.

Welcome to the black hole of Umbrian red wine where you get to experience a new level of tannic density, but this is also married to extraordinary ripeness. For all this, a surprisingly clean and elegant finish. Very savory. Drink or hold.

This wine was not produced in the 2014 vintage, and fruit from that year went into the entry-level Montefalco Rosso instead. However, the 2015 Montefalco Rosso Riserva is a generous and radiant wine that offers accessible tones of black fruit, cherry and savory spice. The blend sees a large element of Sangiovese, and that grape shines bright in this wine, thanks to its elegant tones of wild berry, rose and pressed violet.