Weekly Wine Round-Up (#3)

I’ve become somewhat of a Sagrantino fanatic over the last six months. I was on the hunt for the healthiest grape and my research led me over-and-over to Sagrantino. This bold red wine is bursting with polyphenols and tannins and can knock you on the floor if you’re not prepared.

The vast majority of this elixir is grown on a few thousand acres in Montefalco, Umbria. So, yes, it is rare. Sagrantino is a beast of a grape, so finding balance in the wine can be a challenge. As a result, most Montefalco producers make a single dry Montefalco Sagrantino bottling. But that is not so for Tabarrini, who makes three separate bottlings from three very distinct vineyards in the region (Campo alla Cerqua, Colle Grimaldesco, and Colle alle Macchie).

This week I popped open the 2014 single-vineyard bottling from Colle Grimaldesco. As I pulled the cork out a thick layer of tar-like tannins clung to the bottom of the cork, warning me (or better yet, teasing me) of what’s to come.

At first sip such power, but extreme focus. Rich, dense dark fruits envelop you followed by hints of espresso and cocoa. The tannic finish is undeniable but Tabarrini has tamed this beast so it doesn’t overpower you. I’ve already purchased a few extra bottles, and encourage you to do the same.

Tabarrini Colle Grimaldesco Montefalco Sagrantino 2014 ($39.99)

4.2 Vivino Stars

Wine Spectator 93 Pts.

“A dense, full-bodied red that offers a rich, silky mesh of flavors rippling across the palate. Crème de cassis and raspberry coulis notes are accented by wild sage and espresso crema hints, with a streak of tarry mineral, all framed by lightly juicy acidity and well-defined tannins that emerge on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 550 cases made, 250 cases imported. — AN”