2005 Sagrantino di Montefalco, 'Ducciochi', Fontecolle, Umbria

While the region as a whole has tended toward the thick, extracted, overly-alcholic, and low-acid/soupy style, Duccio's 100% Sagrantino (all 200 cases of it!) has focused on faithfully conveying the freshness and purity of the vineyard fruit straight to the bottle. Well-sited vineyards (on high stony slopes), no herbicides or pesticides, low yields (30 hl/ha), the use of only free-run juice and immaculate cellar work using new french oak has produced a finely focused, taut wine with a rich wild brambly core of fruit, gentle tannins and fresh acidity; perfectly poised for further ageing till 2015. Needs a couple of years to unravel ideally but then worthy of knuckle of lamb with greek oregano. Bravo Duccio!
(David Berry Green - BBR Buyer)

Fuller-bodied and a tad oakier than its Montefalco Rosso sibling, this spicy Umbrian red gets closer to the untamed Sagrantino of typical muscularity and power, and yet the combination of pure ripe dark cherry fruit flavours and impressive acidity gives it the balance that might otherwise detract from its unquestioned food wine qualities.
(The Wine Gang  - A review of a further 20 wines from the press tasting - Aug 09)