Sis-in-law Dr Pat gifted us this interesting Italian red that she discovered and acquired at the winery in Umbria, Italy during her visit to the region this fall. She brought it during our holiday get-together and we opened it with carry-out pizza for Saturday evening dinner.
This is a unique label from the town of Montefalco located in central Umbria, south of the town of Assisi and north of Spoleto on the lush Apennine Range in the center if the Italian peninsula. Umbria is one of the few completely landlocked regions in Italy.
One of the primary and leading red grape varieties in the region is Sagrantino, grown around the picturesque hilltop village of Montefalco. Along with Montefalco Sagrantino - made exclusively from the Sagrantino grape - other reds include this Montefalco Rosso (and Montefalco Rosso riserva), such as this one, that are primarily Sangiovese. The area also produces some white wines include Montefalco Grechetto and Trebbino Spoletino.
Sangiovese is the actually the most widely planted grape in the area, with Montefalco Rosso, defined by this grape, being a less tannic and less powerful wine that is more approachable upon release, more drinkable and at less expensive pricing, available to enjoy while waiting for the Sagrantinos to mellow out.
Since the primary varietal is Sangiovese rather than Sagrantino, this Montefalco Rosso is a lighter-bodied, and more approachable wine, that also can be enjoyed earlier at a younger age.
This label produced by Cantina Fratelli Pardi is a notable example of Montefalco Rosso. They also produce a Montefalco Rosso Riserva (basically a Montefalco Rosso from better quality grapes that has been aged longer before release).
As shown on the rear label (below), in Italian since this bottle was procured overseas at the winery, Pardi Montefalco Rosso is a Red Blend made predominantly from 70% Sangiovese, 15% “Vitigno Autoctono” which translated to English means "native grape variety" or "local grape variety", which refers to the local Sagrantino, with the remaining amounts of 7.5% Merlot and 7.5% of Cabernet.
This release was awarded 90 points by Vinous’s Eric Guido and James Suckling.
Bright ruby colored, medium bodied, full and round pleasant easy drinking, bright blackberry and black cherry and some red fruit notes, dusty rose, olives and spicy and savoury, with balanced acidity and pronounced but approachable tannins on the lively lingering finish.
RM 90 points.
