The 2009 Perticaia Montefalco Rosso DOC is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Colorino (an Italian Red grape grown in Tuscany and Umbria) and a splash of Merlot sourced from Estate vineyards located in the Montefalco region of Umbria, Italy. The Montefalco region is best known for Sagrantino, a unique indigenous Red grape grown in relatively small amounts. The 15% Sagrantino was taken from oak barrels (by law it must be aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak), but the Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot are all fermented in stainless steel vats and then the entire blend is aged in stainless steel for 12 months and then held 6 months in the bottle before release (per DOC regulations). The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color a cranberry red with black highlights. The nose is fresh red fruit with a little brewing coffee. It starts with bright fresh, but not jammy blueberry, blackberry and raspberry with a slap of licorice and a bit of cola. Let this one breath for an hour or so, if you pop and pour it will be a little too dry and too tannic, give it some time and it softens up and gives a lush mouth feel and a fine display of balanced fruit flavors. The finish is large and long.
The most expensive wines justify their high price tags with exclusivity, the wine is a product of a very particular grape grown in an exclusive location. The 2009 Perticaia Montefalco Rossa gives you that exclusivity for $23, you won’t find a $10 version from Chile or Argentina. This is a dry Red wine that would work well with beef or pork creations on the Weber grill and it is rather tasty for a unique, “serious” wine.
