VINTAGES QUALITY EVALUATION

of the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG vintages

VINTAGES QUALITY EVALUATION

of the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG vintages

The evaluation is expressed by number of stars and corresponds to the following classification:

LEGENDA

outstanding vintage
5/5
excellent vintage
4/5
good vintage
3/5
fair vintage
2/5
insufficient vintage
1/5

The evaluation is expressed by number of stars and corresponds to the following classification:

LEGENDA

5/5

outstanding vintage

4/5

excellent vintage

3/5

good vintage

2/5

fair vintage

1/5

insufficient vintage

2018

4/5

Score: 92/100

2007

4/5

1996

3/5

1985

5/5

2017

3/5

Score: 88/100

2006

4/5

1995

4/5

1984

2/5

2016

5/5

2005

5/5

1994

3/5

1983

3/5

2015

5/5

2004

4/5

1993

4/5

1982

2/5

2014

3/5

2003

4/5

1992

1/5

1981

3/5

2013

4/5

2002

2/5

1991

3/5

1980

3/5

2012

4/5

2001

4/5

1990

5/5

1979

3/5

2011

4/5

2000

4/5

1989

2/5

1978

2/5

2010

4/5

1999

4/5

1988

4/5

1977

3/5

2009

4/5

1998

5/5

1987

3/5

1976

2/5

2008

5/5

1997

4/5

1986

2/5

1975

2/5

2018

4/5

Score: 92/100

2007

4/5

1996

3/5

1985

5/5

2017

3/5

Score: 88/100

2006

4/5

1995

4/5

1984

2/5

2016

5/5

2005

5/5

1994

3/5

1983

3/5

2015

5/5

2004

4/5

1993

4/5

1982

2/5

2014

3/5

2003

4/5

1992

1/5

1981

3/5

2013

4/5

2002

2/5

1991

3/5

1980

3/5

2012

4/5

2001

4/5

1990

5/5

1979

3/5

2011

4/5

2000

4/5

1989

2/5

1978

2/5

2010

4/5

1999

4/5

1988

4/5

1977

3/5

2009

4/5

1998

5/5

1987

3/5

1976

2/5

2008

5/5

1997

4/5

1986

2/5

1975

2/5

2018

4/5

Score: 92/100

2017

3/5

Score: 88/100

2016

5/5

2015

5/5

2014

3/5

2013

4/5

2012

4/5

2011

4/5

2010

4/5

2009

4/5

2008

5/5

2007

4/5

2006

4/5

2005

5/5

2004

4/5

2003

4/5

2002

2/5

2001

4/5

2000

4/5

1999

4/5

1998

5/5

1997

4/5

1996

3/5

1995

4/5

1994

3/5

1993

4/5

1992

1/5

1991

3/5

1990

5/5

1989

2/5

1988

4/5

1987

3/5

1986

2/5

1985

5/5

1984

2/5

1983

3/5

1982

2/5

1981

3/5

1980

3/5

1979

3/5

1978

2/5

1977

3/5

1976

2/5

1975

2/5

AUTHOR LABEL

Author Label - 2018

Author Label - 2017

Author Label - 2016

Author Label - 2015

Author Label - 2014

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Author Label - 2013

Author Label - 2012

Author Label - 2011

Author Label - 2009

Author Label - 2006

2013

2012

2011

2009

2006

AUTHOR LABEL

Author Label - 2018

2018

Author Label - 2017

2017

Author Label - 2016

2016

Author Label - 2015

2015

Author Label - 2014

2014

Author Label - 2013

2013

Author Label - 2012

2012

Author Label - 2011

2011

Author Label - 2005

Author Label - 2004

Author Label - 2003

Author Label - 2002

Author Label - 2001

Author Label - 2009

2009

Author Label - 2006

2006

Author Label - 2005

2005

Author Label - 2004

2004

Author Label - 2003

2003

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

Author Label - 2000

Author Label - 1999

Author Label - 1998

Author Label - 2002

2002

Author Label - 2001

2001

Author Label - 2000

2000

Author Label - 1999

1999

Author Label - 1998

1998

2000

1999

1998

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VINTAGES

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VINTAGES

Annata 2018

Vineyard: The 2018 vintage was crisper and without the caloric peaks of the previous vintage, despite a mild January with little rain. It then became a little colder until mid-March when the temperatures increased abruptly resulting in a slightly earlier germination of Sagrantino. April and May were relatively wet months, guaranteeing crucial reserves of water, with slightly lower average temperatures for the time of year. June to mid-August saw sporadic rainfall without any extreme heat. Temperatures dropped at the end of the summer, favouring a consistent maturing of the grapes, aided by a dry and breezy period that continued until mid-October.

Wine cellar: Essentially a classic vintage, despite the climatic curve we’re experiencing, ensuring balanced vegetative developmsent and resulting in a consistent harvest that was satisfying and of high quality. The cool, late summer temperatures, combined with occasional rain and good breezes, resulted in the harvesting of mature grapes with good levels of acidity. This has produced very balanced wines, without aromatic, alcoholic or phenolic excesses. Sagrantinos are classic by nature; in the character that cuts through the variety, demonstrating an intensity and vitality, depth, excellent tannic finesse and propensity for aging.

2017 Vintage

Vineyard: As with other vintages, April saw a late frost immediately following germination which resulted in a loss of production. Spring then progressed with some rain. Summer was dry and scorching, with some rain reappearing before harvest time, giving vines the chance to ripen gradually, even if earlier than the average. A complex and difficult vintage given the meteorological conditions, with a substantial drop in quantity (-40% on 2016). Undoubtedly one of the hottest and driest of recent years, keeping producers particularly busy, especially in regards to managing the vines.

Wine cellar: The harvest, counterbalanced with some rain in the run up to picking the grapes, led to healthy grapes with no notable health problems, of excellent alcohol content, good polyphenolic maturation and slightly lower acidity than the norm. In general, the wines pleasantly surprised, exhibiting excellent complex balance, cut with an intensity and heat. Worthy wines, best left to develop in the bottle but excellent for drinking immediately; ideal for the table and wine-pairing with food.

2016 Vintage

Vineyard: a rather mild winter, characterized by abundant rains that have replenished the water reserves, which have been reduced to a minimum since the 2015 vintage. Spring and summer saw a succession of hot days with well-distributed rains that allowed the grapes to ripen in an excellent way, without any hint of water stress. Unlike previous seasons, the trend in average daily temperatures and monthly rainfall has proved to be in line with the historical series of the area, favouring a harmonious vegetative development that has guaranteed good levels of production.

Wine cellar: a vintage with splendid potential. The wines are rich in colouring material, excellent structure, and a very interesting acid component. All prerequisites for elegant, silky wines destined for long ageing. The 2016 is the classic vintage of great wines, perhaps less "ready" for release, but certainly to come.    

2015 Vintage

Vineyard: rainy winter, sunny and windy spring. Dry, warm and sunny summer. The low humidity has made the diseases control easy, facilitating both manual and antiparasitic interventions in the vineyards which, anyway, have been much less than in previous years. The overall weather conditions have been ideal, the sufficient rains between September and October have allowed for balanced grapes in terms of acidity especially during the last phase of maturation and harvest, without causing particular problems from the health point of view.

Wine cellar: A very interesting quality level with perfectly ripe and healthy grapes and an average production in terms of quantity. Grapes with excellent sugars concentrations and good phenolic profile will allow for wines of great structure and complexity. The premises are those of an excellent vintage.

2014 Vintage

Vineyard:A “technically” very demanding vintage from the point of view of agronomic management of vineyards due to the weather conditions. Despite rainfall and temperatures below average during the summer season. Overall, it was a good year for white grapes and late vines such as Sagrantino.

Wine cellar: The grapes that have reached maturity are on average healthy, with a thinner skin compared to the varietal standard; the average weight of the grape is higher, with a good sugar concentration and an acidity balanced by an average pH in the norm. Alcoholic fermentation took place regularly with an average final alcoholic content. Polyphenolic content below the previous years but always typical of Sagrantino. Balanced and pleasant.

2013 Vintage

Vineyard: The winter season was characterised by heavy rainfall and average temperatures, below average especially during spring, that slowed down the vegetative growth with a flowering and fruit setting phases delay of about 7-10 days. After late June, summer continued as expected, with the typical temperatures of the period. From a climatic point of view, the harvest period alternated between dry periods and some rainstorms, anyhow within standard, that allowed a good harvest. Anyhow, the ripening was good even if late. The year 2013 was characterised by a reduced production due to the hardships of the spring period.

Wine cellar: rather regular fermentation without critical points. Gradations within standard, without alcohol excesses because it tends to be a cool year. Altogether, it is a year with low production but of excellent quality for those who were able to manage the vineyards and understood the vintage characteristics. Interesting wines, good colours, with a slightly higher pH, soft tannins.

2012 Vintage

Vineyard:The entire year was characterized by little rainfall. The winter was rather cold and dry, and spring was mild and not very rainy, though there were some cold spells between April and May. Most of the summer was marked by high temperatures and a lack of precipitation, accompanied by hot winds until the end of August. From September to mid-October, there were cool temperatures with a good day/night temperature swing, along with some very localized rainfall, which allowed the plants to mature in an optimal manner. Production was below average but was characterized by very healthy grapes. Despite the hot and dry trend, the grapes were harvested during the usual period, the second ten days of October, and optimum technological maturation was possible thanks to the characteristics of the Sagrantino variety.

Cellar:Standard fermentation. High alcohol content. Overall, an excellent year for later varieties such as Sagrantino. The very healthy and tough skins permitted long maceration. Good balance in the wines and soft tannins, yielding wines that now tend to be ready, as opposed to the previous vintage.

2011 Vintage

Vineyard:vintage characterized by average spring rainfall. The warm and dry climate with temperatures above average during the summer until mid-October provided for a slightly early but very good maturation of the grapes, the right one as regards the level of polyphenols. The quantity of harvested grapes was very good. Grapes are of a very good quality.

Cellar:Regular fermentation prolonged over time due to the high sugar content. Generally excellent and balanced vintage leading to well-structured wines with a high potential of longevity.

2010 Vintage

Vineyard:vintage characterized by a particularly cold and rainy winter. Strongly delayed germination and phenological stages (10-15 days) compared to the normal condition. Fresh summer until mid-August; later on and until mid-October higher temperatures that allowed making up for much of the delay in maturation.

Cellar:regular fermentations. Lower alcohol content than the average of last years. Overall good vintage, which was excellent for white grapes and the best exposed Sangiovese and Sagrantino vineyards.

2009 Vintage

Vineyard:vintage characterized by a relatively regular and balanced climate trend. Winter at times warm and rainy, at times cold and dry. Spring season in the norm. Fresh and rainy early summer. Later on, the season was warm and dry until October. Ideal maturation of the grapes.

Cellar:regular fermentations. Alcohol content in the norm. Overall very good vintage.

2008 Vintage

Vineyard:vintage characterized by a mild dry winter and a particularly fresh and rainy spring, which led to a delay of some days in the phenolic stages and a slowing down of the vegetative growth. Dry summer with normal temperatures in the norm for the period. Start of the ripening process delayed by about two weeks. Late September and early October with tramontana winds and subsequent fresh temperatures, low degree of humidity and perfect health conditions of the grapes. Late maturation.

Cellar:regular fermentations. Normal alcoholic content. Excellent vintage on the whole, especially for Sagrantino.

2007 Vintage

Vineyard:vintage characterized by high temperatures and little rainfall as 2003, but with more balance wines with good aromatic expression.

Cellar:high sugar strength extended the length of the fermentations which ended up regularly all the same. Wines with a great structure and a good possibilities of aging in the bottle.

2006 Vintage

Vineyard:cold dry winter. Late vine budbreak (3-5 days). Mild spring with little rain. Cool, dry start of summer. July and August with lower-than-average temperatures and rather heavy rainfall. September and early October dry and warm. From a qualitative standpoint, the maturation of Sagrantino was very good on the warmer slopes, less so on colder ones. For Sangiovese, this differentiation was even more accentuated.

Cellar:standard fermentation. Extremely refined and elegant wines. Very rich and pleasant aromas. Moderately tannic; very good volume and length. Slightly less structured than in warmer years. Particularly interesting and positive vintage for Sagrantino.

2005 Vintage

The 2005 vintage year experienced two distinct weather phases: the first, which corresponded to the period before veraison (grape berry coloring), from May to end-July, was characterized by high temperatures and little rainfall compared to the average. The second, from August to October, during the period between veraison and ripening, featured almost opposite climactic conditions, with higher than average rainfalls and low temperatures which provoked hydration stress during the first part of the season and consequently earlier phonological phases, reduction in grape size and malic acid and an increase in polyphenols.
During the second phase, maturation continued without excessive hydration stress, while low temperatures favored a good aromatic expression. The slight dilution due to the abundance of rainfall did not impair the high grape concentration due to the stress accumulated before the veraison period, making the final strength of the wines noteworthy.
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