Paolo Bea 2011 Montefalco Sagrantino Cerrete

100% Sagrantino. Deep plum and cherry fruit aromas, with a balsamic note, wild earthiness, and hints of herbs and flowers. “Intense,” is the best way to describe this wine in one word. Tannic and powerful with a long finish that somehow manages to not overwhelm. Organic.

The cool and dry position of the Cerrete vineyard, located at the highest altitude in Montefalco, take Sagrantino to new heights. Fermentation begins naturally after a 45-day maceration, then the wine spends a year in steel tanks, before resting for 43 months in large oak barrels. The resulting wine is intense in nearly every aspect, with a deep violet color, robust tannins, and power that announces itself from the first aromas through the persistent finish. Despite all of this intensity, the wine is not heavy, as the terroir provides lift and elegance that enchants the senses.