SAGRANTINO DI MONTEFALCO

Across the regional border in land-locked Umbria we are mainly in white wine country with average to very good wine made from Grechetto, Trebbiano and more. The one, highly prized (and priced) exception, is Sagrantino di Montefalco, made from the local Sagrantino grape. This is not a wine for casual drinking as the tannin levels would give traditional Barolo or even a couple of industrial sized tea bags a run for their money. But if you want a distinctive red, with potentially great red fruit and the concentration plus acidity/tannins to age for decades, this is a real local treasure. It’s pretty good value at £33; just put in the cellar for five years plus and then enjoy it as it unfolds. If you want diversity in your wine, then Italy is the country to follow. David Way (www.winefriend.org) (Apr 2011)

A decadent and satisfyingly voluptuous wine from the Sagrantino grape, oozing tannin, make no mistake. but the creamy, leatherycomplexity that supports this tannins produces a dense savoury richness that’s hard to argue with. A class act. Rating: 92 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Apr 2011)

Mint, sage, eucalyptus, wild cherries, plums, juniper berries and licorice are just a few of the nuances that emerge from the gorgeous, utterly compelling 2006 Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano. This is an especially exotic vintage for the Collepiano, but the wine is utterly convincing. The firm, powerful Sagrantino tannins are on full display, so readers will want to cellar this for at least a few years. Despite the wine’s formidable structure, there is more than enough fruit to balance the tannins all the way through to the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2011)