Fratelli Pardi - Sagrantino di Montefalco Sacrantino, 2015
The Pardi’s winery was originally established in 1919 by brothers Alfredo, Francesco and Alberto Pardi. At that time, their wines were sold to a number of important clients, including the Vatican. When Alberto died in 1943, the family decided to close the winery and concentrate on other businesses, most notably textiles.
It was only in 2002 that Francesco, Gianluca Rio and Alberto Mario Pardi resolved to embrace winemaking again, opening a new winery. Today the Pardi brothers own 11 hectares around Montefalco.
“Sacrantino” is Pardi’s best expression of sagrantino. The grapes are entirely sourced from the Pietrauta vineyard, a parcel with an optimal south-east exposure near Montefalco. After fermentation, the wine is matured for 18 months in oak barriques, 9-12 months in stainless steel tanks and then finally left in the bottle for 18 months. Therefore “Sacrantino” is released to the general public 4 years after harvest.
The wine has a deep ruby shade with an inky density. On the nose, it’s intensely concentrated, deep and focussed. Notes of blackberry, bramble and cassis alternate with prunes and macerated black fruit. There are hints of juniper, earth, leather, black tea and a ripe stalkiness. A black slate minerality wraps the profound aromatic profile.
On the palate, this red is full in body, with a massive structure that doesn’t detract from the wine’s agility. The ripe and deep fruitiness is embellished by notes of myrtle, old bark, cloves and black minerality. Tannins are high in level, but extraordinarily polished and refined. The intensity of flavours is remarkable, somehow still preserving freshness and liveliness. The long finish charms the taster into calling for another sip.