2015 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco Vigneto Cerrete
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The Paolo Bea 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Cerrete is my favorite wine of this flight (and the most expensive, unfortunately) thanks to the abundant display of black fruit, inky dark concentration, spice and tar. Despite all those rather dark and heavy descriptors and the high 15% alcohol, the wine is surprisingly light on its feet and sprightly. There are lingering tones of exotic or barbecue spice with redwood and spicy cedar. This vintage saw a reduced 38 days of maceration with pump-overs and punch-downs. Giampiero Bea's personal style puts a lot of emphasis on fermentation techniques.
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Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
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The 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Cerrete wafts up with a smoky burst of camphor that blows off to reveal a pretty mix of wild strawberries, dried roses, cinnamon and peppery herbs. This is silky yet cool-toned in feel, with a pleasant twang of sour citrus up front that gives way to vivid tart cherries. It's potent and staining, but also full of energy, with vibrant acids and a mineral underpinning that both pepper yet also soothe the senses. The 2015 finishes incredibly long, with balsamic tones and exotic spices that seem to last for up to a minute. Silky tannins coat the palate at first then slowly melt away and create a sense of total inner harmony. With a few years of cellaring, I expect the 2015 Cerrete to be a total knockout. Of note, there will not be a 2013 or 2014 Cerrete.