Falesco Assisi Rosso 2009
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Robert
Parker
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Falesco Assisi Rosso is crafted from 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The picturesque setting and exposure of the hillside Umbrian vineyards, with perfectly draining volcanic soil, provide ideal ripening conditions. This rich blend produces a wine that is at once full of structure yet completely accessible.
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Wine Enthusiast
The 2009 Assisi Rosso is a new wine from Falesco. The blend is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Interestingly, the Assisi Rosso shows more Sangiovese character than the estate's pure Sangiovese. Sweet tobacco, underbrush, licorice and cherries flow from this beautifully delineated, layered wine. This is another strong effort from Falesco, not to mention a terrific value. Anticipated Maturity: 2012-2019.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 Assisi Rosso is a new wine from Falesco. The blend is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Interestingly, the Assisi Rosso shows more Sangiovese character than the estate's pure Sangiovese. Sweet tobacco, underbrush, licorice and cherries flow from this beautifully delineated, layered wine. This is another strong effort from Falesco, not to mention a terrific value.
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2010-
Wine &
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The Famiglia Cotarella legacy began in 1920 with Antonio and Domenico Cotarella, grape growers in the small village of Monterubiaglio, Umbria. In 1979, Domenico’s sons Renzo & Riccardo founded Falesco, a company with a clear mission: to resurrect the ancient 'micro-varieties' of Lazio and Umbria that had become virtually extinct and to elevate Umbria’s status as a respected winemaking region. In 2017, Renzo & Riccardo placed the future of their company in the capable hands of their daughters, Dominga, Marta & Enrica. The 'sisters,' as they are fondly known, took the reins with integrity and passion, rebranding the family's estate to "Famiglia Cotarella." Today, the philosophy of Famiglia Cotarella is to illustrate the importance of family and sense of place in everything they do, from grape growing, to vinification, marketing, research, innovation and philanthropy.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Centered upon the lush Apennine Range in the center if the Italian peninsula, Umbria is one of the few completely landlocked regions in Italy. It’s star red grape variety, Sagrantino, finds its mecca around the striking, hilltop village of Montefalco. The resulting wine, Sagrantino di Montefalco, is an age-worthy, brawny, brambly red, bursting with jammy, blackberry fruit and earthy, pine forest aromas. By law this classified wine has to be aged over three years before it can be released from the winery and Sagrantino often needs a good 5-10 more years in bottle before it reaches its peak. Incidentally these wines often fall under the radar in the scene of high-end, age-begging, Italian reds, giving them an almost cult-classic appeal. They are undoubtedly worth the wait!
Rosso di Montefalco, on the other had, is composed mainly of Sangiovese and is a more fruit-driven, quaffable wine to enjoy while waiting for the Sagrantinos to mellow out.
Among its green mountains, perched upon a high cliff in the province of Terni, sits the town of Orvieto. Orvieto, the wine, is a blend of at least 60% Trebbiano in combination with Grechetto, with the possible addition of other local white varieties. Orvieto is the center of Umbria’s white wine production—and anchor of the region’s entire wine scene—producing over two thirds of Umbria’s wine. A great Orvieto will have clean aromas and flavors of green apple, melon and citrus, and have a crisp, mineral-dominant finish.