Arquata Montefalcone Rosso DOC – Produced and bottled by Azienda Agricola Adanti, Bevagna (PG) Italy
Midway between Spoleto and Assisi, in the green, rolling hills of the Umbria in Central Italy — where grape harvests date back to around 50 AD — sits a converted Benedictine monastery that serves as “Heaven on earth” for wine lovers in search of something special. The Adanti Estate is one of the select few to harvest the very rare Sagrantino grape, the “star of the show” in this part of the world.
At 14% alcohol by volume, this is definitely a robust red. Rich garnet in color, this Montefalcone Rosso is a wonderful blend of Sangiovese (70%), the rare Sagratino (15%), Barbera (5%), Cabernet (5%) and Merlot (5%).
Introduced in 1979, Arquata Montefalcone Rosso DOC — an intense, juicy, dry wine — is aged for one year in oak barrels and nearly an additional year in the bottle before heading to market. As such, it has the structure to continue aging in the bottle for approximately five additional years.
On the tongue there are hints of licorice and cumin. The bouquet is abundantly wrapped in aromas of forest underbrush, dried wild cherries and plum with a dash of cinnamon. It has a long, smooth jam-like finish with firm, ripe tannins.
Arquata Montefalcone Rosso DOC pairs well with pastas in meat sauces, chicken, pork, boiled meats, polenta and soft Italian cheeses like Fontina, Taleggio and Marcite, a cheese unique to Norcia.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
_______________________________________________________