Tenuta Alzatura Uno di Sagrantino Montefalco 2001
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At the end of the 1990s, the Cecchi Family invested in the Sagrantino di Montefalco territory, a prestigious Umbrian denomination that achieved DOCG status in 1992. Famiglia Cecchi quickly identified the elements behind the quality obtained by Montefalco wineries: the combination of the unique Sagrantino grape variety and the expressive terroir.
Unlike the other Famiglia Cecchi Tuscan estates, which are formed by a single vineyard, Tenuta Alzatura has three different vineyards in three different areas: Monterone, San Marco, and Alzatura, all inside of the Montefalco appellation. Tenuta Alzatura and the Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG are prime examples of territories where agriculture has shaped the culture for generations. Combined, the soil types (clay with sand and limestone pockets), typical rolling hills in the countryside with the best expositions for late ripening grapes varietals, and deep care of the vineyards–organic agricultural and winemaking methods emphasize the quality of each varietals–create wines of depth, substance, and strong personality.
In addition to the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, which is a 100% Sagrantino wine, the family has always believed in the potential of Montefalco Rosso, a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, and 15% Merlot. Montefalco Rosso is a full-bodied and balanced wine with jammy aromas of blackberry and currant. It is a unique union of the power of Sangiovese and Sagrantino, plus the appeal of Merlot!
Known for dark and dense red wines, Sagrantino is a grape unique to Umbria. The best examples come from the clay, sand and limestone soils around the village of Montefalco. Since Sagrantino grapes have a high level of tannins, law requires Sagrantino di Montefalco age at least 30 months before release to market. Sagrantino often benefits from further aging—though look to those labeled Rosso di Montefalco for early drinking Sagrantino-Sangiovese blends. Somm Secret—Sagrantino contains some of the highest polyphenol (antioxidant) levels compared to other red wine grapes.
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.