IL SAGRANTINO DI ROMANELLI
Another opportunity has arrived to make a small escape from the daily monotony and take advantage of days off work for a weekend away from the region. From Tuscany I decide to head to Umbria, direction: Città di Castello in the province of Perugia, a truly history-rich town full of art and traditions, and also one of the most important tobacco production centers in Italy. Beyond this, of course, there is no shortage of culinary delicacies, cured meats, cheeses, truffles and fine wine.
Strolling through the streets of the town center I found a wine bar with a telling name – "Syrah" – so there was nothing left to do but go in and taste a good wine accompanied by a fine selection of cured meats and cheeses.
Among the wines available by the glass I noticed the Sagrantino di Montefalco 2009 from the agricultural estate Romanelli, founded in 1978 in San Clemente di Montefalco and led by Amedeo and Costantino Romanelli (father and son). I decided to try it and was very struck by the austerity and nobility of this wine, which I had heard so much about and was dying to taste.
I raise the glass toward the light and immediately on the eye it presents a garnet red that is almost impenetrable yet clear. Swirling the liquid in the glass one witnesses an elegant dance where the body and alcohol content make the wine flow slowly, forming dense and regular arches with a slow lacrimation – I immediately understand I have a wine of great substance before me.
After the first visual assessment, I bring the glass to my nose and immediately notes of ripe fruit and well-dosed oak emerge, but swirling the glass releases excellent notes of blackberry, plum, raspberry jam and sweet spices such as cinnamon and liquorice, along with a dried floral note.
It is time to taste and the first sip gives the impression of an agile wine, with an excellent freshness-driven thrust and well-integrated tannins, supported by a pleasing savouriness. I taste again and observe a fine correspondence with the aromas found on the nose and an excellent gustatory balance between hardness and softness. A persistent wine, full-bodied and of fine quality. Paired with spicy cheeses and flavourful sauces this wine gives its best. A wine to be savoured in wide glasses, to enhance its characteristics, at a temperature between 18° and 20°.
An excellent tasting therefore, and my warmest compliments to this estate which will certainly not be missing from my cellar. Good wine to all and see you soon.
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