Tabarrini Boccatone Montefalco Rosso, 2016

Umbria is one of Italy’s lesser-known wine regions often hiding in the shadows of its neighbor, Tuscany. But, it is an absolutely marvelous wine region. For whites, it is known for Grechetto which produces Orvieto DOC wines and for reds, it is home of Sagrantino. Sagrantino is a deep, dark and powerful wine and it just so happens that it is one of, if not the most, polyphenol-rich grape varieties out there.

Because it is still summer, we’re going to reserve our straight Sagrantino recommendations for the cooler months when we’ll be enjoying hearty stews and fireside sips, but we were still craving a touch of Sagrantino and got our hands on Tabarrini’s Montefalco Rosso Boccatone, 2016. You can think of it as an introduction to Sagrantino but with some more commonly-known elements. This blend is 60% Sangiovese, 25% Barbera and 15% Sagrantino.

In a recent conversation with Tabarrini’s winemaker Alessandro Meniconi, we gleaned some details on this wine and have found another great Italian winemaker, so passionate about not taking short-cuts and following traditional principles all the way from grape-growing to bottling.

The Tabarrini vineyards were 24 years old during the 2016 harvest, expressing great maturity of polyphenols, and allowing for great expression of aroma and flavor compounds in the resulting wine. South-east facing vineyards allow for maximal sunlight hours and grape ripening. The vineyards have carefully applied organic viticultural practices since the beginning, but in the words of Alessandro, “We use only organic principles…we just don’t pay for certifications”. After careful grape selection via hand-harvesting, the grapes are brought to the cellar where they undergo fermentation on the skins (maceration) for more than a month, using only indigenous yeasts. Unfined and with just a light filter to remove coarse sediments, the wine then spends 18 months in French oak barriques before being bottled.

What you get is a wine that shows each of its grape components. Dark red fruits from Sangiovese and Barbera along with typical Italian herbs. Sagrantino brings sage, pine, licorice, and dried tobacco leaf along with greater power and structure.

Boccatone’s direct translation is “boisterous mouth” and this wine is sure to dance on your tongue, giving you just that. Enjoy it with charcuterie or porchetta for a total win. We now have it available in our inventory for $19.50/bottle.

© Healthiest Pour 2021