So much pressed lavender to the nose here as well as the classic brambleberries but also some hints of sour cherries, leather and Chinese spices. This is full and delicious with moath-coating tannins, driven acidity and a compact yet long finish.

A darkly alluring bouquet of ripe woodland berries, crushed rocks and forest floor is lifted by a hint of mentholated herbs as the 2012 Sagrantino di Montefalco smolders up the glass. Rich balsamic spices and mocha giving way to black cherries and a hint of sour citrus. This is persistent and structured, though not painfully so, leaving a staining of blue and red fruits to linger long. The 2012 will make for a good option to drink over the medium term while waiting for the more structured vintages to mature. Best After 2022

A savory, full-bodied version, in the traditional style, with tobacco, leather and earth notes leading to more subtle dried cherry and spice accents that swathe the dense and chewy tannins. Best after 2020. 7,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.

This wine's tilled earth, leather and cassis aromas emerge in the glass. The ripe, rather evolved palate shows mature black plum, roasted coffee and licorice flavors alongside close-grained tannins.

The 2011 Montefalco Sagrantino is a hearty and well-built wine that opens to a dark and richly extracted appearance. The wine sports a thick garnet color with red ruby highlights. The bouquet offers candied cherry, exotic spice and cured-leather aromas. The wine's tannic structure is significant, and you should expect as much from this singular indigenous grape from central Italy. This was a warm vintage that shows ripe and evolved fruit today. Some 130,000 bottles were produced.