2009 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco Vigneto Cerrete

The 2009 Montefalco Sagrantino Cerrete is a single-vineyard expression made in small production numbers. I tasted bottle number 646, and in full disclosure, my purchased sample was ever-so slightly corked (although I decided to taste past it and feel confident of my scoring nonetheless). This is an opulent and darkly concentrated expression with black fruit flavors that build in strong and tall intensity. Dried blackberry and prune segue to barbecue spice, tar and Spanish cedar. This wine is aged in large oak casks, and the tannins are extremely well integrated (and velvety) considering the abrupt astringency of this structured grape variety.