Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
Antonelli’s Montefalco Rosso pays homage to Umbria’s three traditional red varietals, Sangiovese (70%), Sagrantino, and Montepulciano. Featuring old vines and extended ageing in large botti, Antonelli’s 2015 Riserva – produced only in the best Sangiovese vintages – offers an opaque black-garnet color accented by Sangiovese’s brown highlights. Dark, meaty aromas of elderberries and black cherries mark the wine’s nose, giving way to complex suggestions of game, salumi, tarry earth, and fine leather. On the palate the Riserva seamlessly fuses the brooding, tannic nature of the Sagrantino with the lithe, leathery cherry fruit of Sangiovese and the delicious currant notes of Montepulciano. The wine finishes long, complex, and appetizingly tannic with further waves of berry and black cherry fruit infused with notes of menthol, pipe tobacco, violets, and baker’s chocolate. Uncompromisingly authentic, Antonelli’s Montefalco Rosso Riserva is poised for a long evolution in your cool cellar, but will pair well now with richer fare like pork ribs, burgers, game, and pasta dishes topped with pecorino Romano.
An April 2021 newsletter selection
