Some of the most unique, compelling wines in Montefalco emerge from these cramped cellars in Bevagna. Proprietor Francesco Antano is Montefalco’s answer to Giuseppe Rinaldi, the iconic Barolo producer. It is therefore no surprise his wines reveal many of the same characteristics as Rinaldi’s Barolos, most notably a superb purity that perfectly captures the qualities of grape variety, vintage and terroir. Antano is humble and down to earth, with both feet squarely on the ground, admirable qualities that are all too rare these days. Antano produces roughly 60,000 bottles a year from 15 hectares of vineyards located in Bevagna, the warmest region within Montefalco. WA
About WineThe wines possess striking aromatics, gorgeous fruit and remarkable balance which makes them approachable when young but also capable of developing beautifully in bottle. Stylistically the wines bridge modern and traditional styles with a distinct leaning towards the classic. These are among the most accessible wines from Montefalco when young, which also makes them a great starting point for readers who want to explore the breadth of Montefalco’s oenological beauty. In particular, the single-vineyard Sagrantino Colleallodole is an essential wine for any well stocked cellar.
Tasting NotesThe 2005 Montefalco Rosso is a great introduction to the house style. An exuberant, full-bodied red, it possesses compelling depth and richness in its dark fruit. Subtle notes of earthiness, cherries, leather and tobacco add further complexity, but this remains an essentially fruit-driven wine with gorgeous length, finessed tannins and tons of harmony. The Rosso is Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino, vinified together, and aged in cask. Because of the small scale of the facilities, the Rosso is bottled in several lots, and while there is some variation, several bottles were all strikingly beautiful. Like all of Antano’s wines, the Rosso needs some air to open up. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015.
