2017 Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva

The Bea family’s history in the Montefalco area dates to the 1500s, but only in the last two decades have their wines famously exploded onto the international stage. Patriarch Paolo Bea has mostly handed over day-to-day operations to sons Giampiero and Giuseppe. The entire property encompasses 15 hectares: 5 of which are dedicated to the vineyards, 2 to olives, and the remainder to the fruits, vegetables and grains that are grown. Those of you ordered the olive Oil from us should be looking for it in the next week to 10 days.

Sagrantino is the predominant grape, covering 60% of the vineyard surface. The remaining 40% is planted to Sangiovese and Montepulciano, with a small parcel planted to several white varieties. The vineyards are cultivated organically, all grapes are harvested manually, and all wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

The “Pipparello” Montefalco Rosso Riserva 2017 is named for a hilltop vineyard parcel perched at 1,300 feet, in soils of clay and gravel. Vines in the site average about 20+ years of age and the harvest is typically carried out in mid-October. Comprised of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano, and 15% Sagrantino, this is a riserva-level bottling subjected to an extra-long cuvaison (fermentation in contact with the skins/solids) of 40-50 days, enabling the wine its powerful structure. This wine is aged first in stainless steel tanks (one year), followed by two years in large Slavonian oak barrels and a year in bottle before release. This 2017 is a massive and towering wine, dark and brooding at first, as balsamic-infused black cherries give way to mint, sage, fresh tobacco and sweet minerals. On the palate, silky textures caress the senses, just as a wave of rich berry fruit mixed with zesty acids, minerals and tannin settles in. The finish is incredibly long and structured, with continued intensity on the palate, as grippy tannin holds firm against notes of dark fruit, black tea, spice and minerals. The Pipparello Riserva is always an impressive and commanding Umbrian blend that will put most wines from neighboring Tuscany on notice. It's a “serious” wine to experience that also hugely benefits from some cellar aging.