Montefalco is a gorgeous hilltop town in Umbria, not unlike many of it’s counterparts in Tuscany. Sitting atop one of those many hills is the Sagrantino DOCG zone, which produces grapes that create one of the darkest wines in the world: Sagrantino di Montefalco. Colpetrone is one of the many excellent producers from this region; a region flying under the radar of many wine lovers. You are cheating yourself if that is the case.
Similar to Sagrantino, is the sibling wine: Rosso di Montefalco. The 2006 Colpetrone Rosso di Montefalco is a stylish blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Sagrantino. I last tasted this wine in January when I wrote: “It’s deep crimson, black red. Aromas are full of flowers, crushed berries and fresh pipe tobacco. It’s wonderful to smell. The palate is rougher, a bit more rustic and there are earth tones and herbs mixed in with the red fruit flavors.”
If anything has changed since then, I’d say the wine is rounder now, and has fleshed out a bit more. The rusticity has softened and the wine is more seamless, more together. It is surely delicious and quite the value at just under $20. Do yourself a favor and get acquainted with the wines from this region. The Sagrantino’s are typically $30 or more, and are not everyday wines. However, the Rosso’s offer tremendous quality and value. 91 points, about $18.
Here’s a link to the first tasting of this wine: January Review
2006 Colpetrone Rosso di Montefalco |
Great info John; next Italian wine sale I'll be-a-lookin for these.
I actually ordered these online from a place in Connecticut. I had discovered this wine in Umbria, at a small shop in Castiglione del Lago. The proprietor gave me a bottle for free when I bought some black truffle cheese! Since then, I had never found it locally – although always see the Sagrantino. It's worth the shipping to get. But perhaps my fond memory of that day adds to my enjoyment of the wine? Color me guilty. But the wine is still delicious.