Winemaker Notes
A deep, luminous ruby red in colour; concentrated and refined. The nose is a triumph of blackberry jam and blueberries–typical of the variety–with attractive and intense notes of cherries in brandy, carob and rose petals. Its traditionally-styled profile is further enhanced by liquorice and chocolate notes. This wine has a distinct creaminess on the palate, along with very powerful, mellow fruit. The finish is long and persistent, with precisely defined tannins of rare finesse, elegance and gentleness.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A captivating perfume of dark cherry and berry fruit with smatterings of minty herbs propped up by a spine of capacious oak. Complex and weighty with absorbing tannins and a tremor of mouth-watering acidity. Outstanding.
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James Suckling
A polished and firm yet peachy and inviting sagrantino that has an array of plums, peaches, cherry stones, walnuts, cedar and dried roses on the nose. It’s full-bodied, compact and spicy, with tight, firm and well-integrated tannins.
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Vinous
The 2019 Montefalco Sagrantino Carapace is spicy, with a burst of mentholated herbs, balsamic spice, dried blueberries and hints of camphor forming its bouquet. This is silky smooth and seductive, with cooling acidity that lifts its masses of mineral-drenched blackberry fruits as cloves add further contrast. This tapers off quite classic in feel, with edgy tannins and staining licorice, yet somehow leaves the mouth watering for more.
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Wine Spectator
Black raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors are sweet and juicy on the palate of this creamy red, with firm, fine-grained tannins. An aromatic thread of licorice, espresso, dried lavender and spiced orange peel winds through the ripe fruit and lingers on the long, plush finish. Best after 2027. 2,080 cases made, 125 cases imported.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.