{"id":7107,"date":"2025-06-15T17:38:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T17:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/montefalco-winery-visits-an-honest-take-2\/"},"modified":"2025-06-15T17:38:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T17:38:33","slug":"montefalco-winery-visits-an-honest-take-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/montefalco-winery-visits-an-honest-take-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Montefalco Winery Visits \u2013 an honest take – 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

A Montefalco is just around the corner (June 16-18, 2025) … on the eve of that event, I thought I’d put my final reviews from last year. These include my winery visits. \"FalcoWinery<\/p>\n

The highlight of A Montefalco, besides the day of tasting, are the days leading up to, and the days afterward. These are the days for visiting the wineries and getting to know the producers. One of the days is a prescribed list of wineries – the other days you have free rein to visit whomever you want; which is helpful, especially post-tasting, when you’ve made a discovery of an up-and-coming winery you want to learn more about. I have discovered many producers with great passions this way. <\/p>\n

This year, there were a few changes to the program, but all-in-all it was pretty much as described above. I found myself at 11 wineries. Some had large vertical tastings, others toured and tasted through their facilities, and some prepared a lunch with their tasting. Each was a unique experience; each showing their generosity and hospitality. <\/p>\n

Some even sat down with me to discuss Montefalco, Sagrantino and other subjects for the Two Guys Talking Wine podcast (listen here<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

I have highlighted six wineries this year … And all their wines: the good, the bad, the ugly. Three appear in this article, the rest will follow in the next.
 
Wineries appear in alphabetical order – not in order of visiting day; while the wines themselves are presented mainly in date order (oldest to youngest).<\/p>\n

Let’s get tasting…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LE CIMATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a winery willing to push boundaries and use different grapes for some of their wines. Not listed below is their super Umbrian, made with Sagrantino and Cabernet Sauvignon – a wine we tasted on the podcast<\/a> <\/strong>and at 10 years it was a superstar. Looking for out-of-the-box wines – you’ll find them here.<\/p>\n

\"FalcoWineryLe Cimate 2015 Donna Giulia – Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>    
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Lots of fours come up in the making of this wine: 4 months on skins in barrel, 4 years in 1000L Austrian oak, and aged 4 years in bottle … the wine had been open two days and was quite oxidative in nature; with some plum and black fruit.  (NS)        <\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2016 Passito<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Good smoky-sweetness, with black cherry, and a surprisingly dry finish.  (****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2017 Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Still with some grippy tannins; there’s a touch of fruit on the background; will it materialize with a little more time? Not sure. Again, the bottle was previously open, no length of time given, but it was more than a few hours. Cassis and dark fruit woven with tannins and smoke.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2020 Brut Nature<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Forty months on lees, bubbles dissipate quickly, making it a nice white wine … but without the sparkle, it is just a white wine. I want to encourage more winemakers to make bubbles with Spoletino. Please.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2021 Trebbiano Spoletino Riserva \"FalcoWinery<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Five days on skins, using two yeasts – aged 1-year in big barrel. Two years in bottle. Thicker, richer flavours, deeper colour, pineapple core, with a little tannin scrape across the tongue. Backing off the skin contact, just a little, would increase the freshness and enjoyability.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2022 Passito<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Floral and flavourful, honeyied pineapple, mouthfilling – finish is short making the mouth ready for the next sip, which you’ll crave.  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2022 Spoleto<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Stainless Steel – using two yeasts … fresh and steely, with notes of lemon curd and good acidity – fresh and fine.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le Cimate 2023 Saudade<\/span> (Nostalgia)
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Rosato – Fresh, clean, though there is a grit from Sagrantino grape, strawberry-lemon rind\/pith … tough grape to work with but it is nice. Another style I encourage, with a reminder to keep it fresh.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

______________________________<\/p>\n

LUNGAROTTI \"FalcoWinery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Continues to be one of the consistent producers of the area. While their winery might not over impress, they over-deliver on quality. They realize that Sagrantino is a tough sell and a tough grape and are working hard to make those wines drinkable sooner. And they also make some super sparkly wines; which we ask for and get. <\/p>\n

\"FalcoWineryLungarotti 2018 Passito <\/span>   
(Grape: Sagrantino) – VA kicks things off … these late-harvested grapes are dried in cellar, maximum 3 weeks … Sweet and savoury perfect pairing with Blue Cheese.  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lungarotti 2019 Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Ageing in big wood barrels & barrique … you can feel the softness and fruitiness of the wine coming through due to the influence of larger wooden barrels. Deep, dark fruit and smoke, tannins are not in your face. Much more approachable than Sagrantino’s reputation.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lungarotti 2020 Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Another version that’s approachable early, tannins are non-aggressive; with nice black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and wood smoke. Similar to the 2019 in its approach to the palate.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lungarotti 2020 Rosso Riserva \"FalcoWinery<\/span>
(Grapes: Sangiovese 60 \/ Sagrantino 15 \/ Merlot 25) – 2 months extra ageing from the 2020 non-Reserva … Sangiovese is being replanted a project started in 2022, therefore. Riserva is the only Rosso being made. 2026 will see the return of base-model Rosso. Fruit comes out on both the nose and palate: strawberry and smoke with a tart finish that lingers with notes of black cherry weaving in-and-out.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lungarotti NV Rose – Brut<\/span>
(Grapes: Sangiovese \/ Pinot Grigio) – A minimum of 24 months on lees. Lungarotti has been making traditional method sparkling since the 70’s, and started selling in the 80’s. Today they make three kinds. To make this wine they use three vintages of which the base for this version is 2021. Fresh and easy, nice strawberry, subtle lime, nice bubble. Super pleasant and tasty.  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

_____________________________<\/p>\n

VALDANGIUS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another winery pushing limits and trying new things – some of them work, some do not – but if you don’t try you’ll never know, you’ll never learn – that approach I applaud and admire – I do not always applaud and admire the results. Advice: keep pushing, but also know when to lay off.<\/p>\n

Valdangius 2014 Fortunato – Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Rustic Style; hard to drink. <\/p>\n

Valdangius 2017 Fortunato – Montefalco Sagrantino<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Rustic Style; hard to drink. <\/p>\n

Valdangius 2019 Angelina – Passito<\/span>
(Grape: Sagrantino) – Nice dried black cherry sweetness, and yet still has a dry-ish finish.  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valdangius 2019 Filium<\/span> and 2021 Filium<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Eight-months in oak, way too long, in my opinion, wine loses its vibrancy. Same applies for each of the wines.
        
Valdangius 2019 Rosso Riserva<\/span>
(Grapes: Sangiovese \/ Sagrantino \/ Merlot \/ Cabernet Sauvignon) – Better use of the wood and the fruit here – still has a tannin kick, but comes across as more integrated.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valdangius 2016 Campo di Pico \"FalcoWinery<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – oxidative and leesy.<\/p>\n

Valdangius 2019 Campo di Pico<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Clean, waxy, and dry honey.<\/p>\n

Valdangius 2020 Campo di Pico<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – Tastes fresher than the 2022 – clean and rich with good acidity – of the four wines, I liked this one the best and would happily drink this one.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valdangius 2022 Campo di Pico<\/span>
(Grape: Trebbiano Spoletino) – A more leesy driven style.<\/p>\n

\"FalcoWineryValdangius 2022 Ventibolle Rose Sagrantino<\/span> (Ancetrale Sparkling)
(Grape: Sagrantino) – This has a nice bit of flavour to it – the rasp\/strawberry pith like nature of the wine leaves the tongue a little gritty, like licking the pith of any fruit.  (***)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valdangius 2023 Bianco<\/span>
(Grapes: Chardonnay \/ Sauvignon Blanc \/ Pecorino) – Nice acidity and mouthfeel, refreshing, citrusy, pithy – surprising.  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valdangius 2023 Umbria Rosso<\/span>
(Grapes: Sangiovese \/ Merlot) – Juicy, fresh, cherry, raspberry, chillable – easy drinking and full of flavour.  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

______________________________<\/p>\n

To see my notes from A Montefalco tasting visit these links:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG – Annata 2020<\/a>
Montefalco Sagrantino Vintage Wines<\/a>
Sagrantino: Tasting on Tannin Strength and Positioning<\/a>
Montefalco Rosso and Riserva Report<\/a>
Montefalco White Wines Report<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  A Montefalco is just around the corner (June 16-18, 2025) … on the eve of that event, I thought I’d put my final reviews from last year. These include my winery visits.  The highlight of A Montefalco, besides the day of tasting, are the days leading up to, and the days afterward. These are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-on-the-road-with-the-grape-guy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7107"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7107\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}