NoseAmple nose of red fruit with spices and a subtle hint of vanilla, dried fruits and chocolate chocolateraisinvanilla
FlavorOn the palate it is fresh, well-structued, with concentrated tannins in its youth, featuring a long, velvety finish.
Umbria At a Glance
Region NameUmbria
Bordering on Tuscany and right above Rome is the lesser-known and lesser-traveled region of Umbria. Without access to either the sea or international borders, it is affectionately referred to as the “green heart of Italy.”
Score: 92Vintage 2015Vinous MediaBrown spice, crushed fall leaves cherry sauce and a lifting hint of fresh mint form a darkly alluring bouquet as the 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira opens in the glass. This washes across the palate with a velvety wave of ripe red and black fruits, underscored by saline minerals and a burst of spiced citrus. Long and potent, the 2015 leaves a web of fine tannins that are surprisingly sweet and round, nicely framing the notes of sour wild berries and dark chocolate that linger.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 90Vintage 2014Vinous MediaThe 2014 Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira is nuanced in the glass, with a pretty mix of dusty dried roses, spiced citrus peels and raspberry that emerges with coaxing. Its textures are silky-smooth, carrying mineral-tinged berries and a hint of savory spice across the palate; a subtle tannic crunch develops toward the close. Wild herbs and hints of menthol mingle through the lightly structured finale, as the 2014 finishes with admirable length. This is a good effort from a very rainy and cold vintage.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 93Vintage 2013James Suckling MagazineFresh and flighty up front, considering its age, offering aromas of mixed dried and fresh berries and fresh meadow flowers. The medium-to full-bodied palate takes all this on and adds some firm, spicy tannin that is still vibrant. Long, spicy finish. This is drinkable now, but is still brimming with youth, so hold at your leisure.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 89Vintage 2013Wine EnthusiastThis opens with aromas of tilled earth, cassis and mocha. The mature palate offers baked plum, roasted coffee bean and star anise alongside close-grained tannins. Drink after 2023Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 89Vintage 2013Wine EnthusiastThis opens with aromas of tilled earth, cassis and mocha. The mature palate offers baked plum, roasted coffee bean and star anise alongside close-grained tannins. Drink after 2023Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 91Vintage 2012Vinous MediaA darkly alluring bouquet of ripe woodland berries, crushed rocks and forest floor is lifted by a hint of mentholated herbs as the 2012 Sagrantino di Montefalco smolders up the glass. Rich balsamic spices and mocha giving way to black cherries and a hint of sour citrus. This is persistent and structured, though not painfully so, leaving a staining of blue and red fruits to linger long. The 2012 will make for a good option to drink over the medium term while waiting for the more structured vintages to mature.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 90Vintage 2012James SucklingQuite a meaty and lightly herbal rendition of sagrantino, this trades in peperoncino, pine cones and earth. Full-bodied and round with resolved, though drying tannins. Drink now.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 90Vintage 2011Vinous MediaA seductive bouquet of sweet cherries and plums, crushed stone, tobacco and hints of fresh oregano wafts up from the 2011 Montefalco Sagrantino. It’s soft and pliant in feel, lacking the concentration you’d expect from the variety, yet leaning more on purity of fruit and minerality to impress. Its tannic structure comes forward toward the close, resonating throughout the long finale, where inner rose tones and hints of savory spice linger.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review