Umbria Wine

Our Professional Review

The family operation began in 1971 when textiles entrepreneur Arnaldo Caprai purchased 12.5 acres in Montefalco. In 1988, ownership passed on to Arnaldo’s son, Marco. (Winery Note)

Today, the winery is the leading producer of top quality. Arnaldo Caprai is recognized for its dedication to environmental, economic and social sustainability, as well as being champions for the wines of Umbria.

This Umbrian white from Arnaldo Caprai captures a true expression of Grechetto from this lesser known Italian region.

Appealing aromatics of white peach, melon. lemon zest, hints of chamomile and honey characteristics, all  tantalize the palate. This Grechetto is light-medium bodied, pure. fresh, savory and finely balanced. 

Flavors of stone fruits, lemon-lime, blanched almonds, and stonines shine thru on the palate,  ending with zesty acidity and a bone dry finish. " - Debra, Italy White Wine Buyer

Cheese pairing : Essex Street / G. Cravero ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ 2 yrs -available at 67Gourmet

All too often in America, we think of Parmigiano Reggiano as a topping for pasta, but truly great iterations of this cheese are wonderful eaten on its own or with a superb Italian wine.  The Cravero family has been aging Reggiano since 1851, and their cheese is unique among all other Parmigiano.  It has distinct tropical fruit and pineapple overtones in the middle of the palate which turn the salty finish into a harmonious counterpoint.  One taste of this and you'll see why Reggiano is widely considered the king of all cheese. - Martin Johnson, 67Gourmet Cheesemonger

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2015

Eric Guido writes: Brown spice, crushed fall leaves cherry sauce and a lifting hint of fresh mint form a darkly alluring bouquet as the 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira opens in the glass. This washes across the palate with a velvety wave of ripe red and black fruits, underscored by saline minerals and a burst of spiced citrus. Long and potent, the 2015 leaves a web of fine tannins that are surprisingly sweet and round, nicely framing the notes of sour wild berries and dark chocolate that linger. - Vinous 92

James Suckling writes: The candied strawberries and caramelized orange peel draw you in on the nose; then you notice hints of ash and red licorice. The full-bodied palate has quite a serious tannin backbone, and vibrant red fruit lies beneath waiting to be drawn out tightly by a fine acid edge. The finish is quite fruit-forward. Drink now. - James Suckling 92

Winemaker Description

Sensationally intense, with notes of wild flowers, violet and red berry jam. Full bodied, rich, dry with a long finish and delicate hint of spice.

Expert Rating - Vintage 2021 

92 Points James Suckling | Bright and fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as sweet spices, chocolate and candied orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with deep, succulent fruit and firm, tightly packed tannins. (2021). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | A waft of roasted nut on the nose enriches the palate's lively range of steeped apricot, Mandarin orange peel, pastry cream and chamomile notes. Racy acidity gives the complex profile fine definition and carries this on the well-spiced finish. Drink now through 2033.

Decanter 91 Points | This Umbrian Chardonnay from Antinori's estate is vinified and aged partly in stainless steel and partly in wood. The 2023 is toasty and slightly tropical, with a mineral, stony quality which runs through the core, and lovely bright acidity. It finishes with some zesty lemon peel and Mediterranean herbs. Nicely balanced and very fresh.

Winemaker Description - Vintage 2023

Bramìto della Sala has an intense and bright straw yellow color. The nose is dominated by notes of white flowers and light hints of chamomile accompanied by Golden Delicious apple and delicate vanilla aromas. Fresh and pleasant on the palate with full expression of the varietal character. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 92 Points | Bright and fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as sweet spices, chocolate and candied orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with deep, succulent fruit and firm, tightly packed tannins.

Winemaker Description

12 months in French oak barrique and minimum 4 months aging in the bottle. Small red woodland fruits, dark flowers, and light herbaciousness enriched with a note of pepper. Dry and fresh, with enough softness to counterbalance the tannins. Can be enjoyed by itself or with food, red and white meats, charcuterie or aged cheeses. Best served around 64-65 ̊F. 

Winemaker Description 

A stunning Sagrantino from our favorite Italian, Mr. Mattoni himself! Intense ruby red color with hints of berries, sweet spices and tobacco. On the palate there is a freshness followed by soft tannins of finesse and persistence.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 90 Points | Real pleasant juiciness to the palate with vibrant red and black fruits, combined with a touch of sweetness. Finishes is a touch drying, but lemony. 

Winemaker Description

A deep, luminous ruby red in colour; concentrated and refined. The nose is a triumph of blackberry jam and blueberries–typical of the variety–with attractive and intense notes of cherries in brandy, carob and rose petals. Its traditionally-styled profile is further enhanced by liquorice and chocolate notes. This wine has a distinct creaminess on the palate, along with very powerful, mellow fruit. The finish is long and persistent, with precisely defined tannins of rare finesse, elegance and gentleness.

Family-owned vineyards at Montefalco and Bevagna; a special selection was made of the Estate’s finest historic vines as part of the “Patriarchs Project,” carried out in cooperation with the Agricultural Institute of San Michele all’Adige. The soil is a clay-silt mix with excellent agronomic potential, well-structured and resistant to summer drought. A typical expression of a grape variety that is absolutely unique in terms of power and longevity, this Sagrantino is amazingly mellow, which results from skilful vineyard husbandry and long aging in large oak casks.

The Lunelli family, third generation winemakers at Ferrari Trento DOC have pursued their passion for wine with the creation of Tenute Lunelli, comprised of three wine estates located in three different regions of Italy: Tenuta Castelbuono in Umbria, Tenuta Podernovo in Tuscany, and Villa Margon in Trentino. All three estates have a shared vision of: respect for the diversity, identity, and origin of each territory; complete sustainable and organic environmental protocols and patience as a virtue. Seduced by the allure of the ancient and mystic region of Umbria, the Lunelli Family chose the rolling hills of Perugia as the ideal territory to create the magnificent wines of the Castelbuono. The winery is a realization of sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro and the technical expertise of architect Giorgio Pedrotti. The huge dome covered with copper, marked with a pattern of grooves and cracks, is inspired by a carapace, a tortoise shell. Tenuta Castelbuono has been certified organic since 2014. The wineries Carapace symbol located on the front label, or “shell,” represents the architectural magnum of the winery designer, legendary Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.

Memo Summary Notes

Pairing Suggestions

• Meats: Braised beef with black pepper, Beef Wellington, wild boar ragu, or a rich stew.

• Game: Roasted venison or wild game birds.

• Cheese: Excellent with mature hard cheeses (like aged Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano) or Gorgonzola.

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red with violet shadings, nearly opaque with traces of garnet
Bouquet. Expansive and persistent with sweet fruits, notes of blackberry, black cherry and a subtle nuttiness. Sweet spices lead to a mineral finish

Soft, sweet, voluptuous body, persistent and velvety. The tannins are thick and sweet, the acidity is well balanced, cutting the density and heaviness, while giving structure. Long finish, persistently fruity with notes of underbrush, forest fruit, and complex, intense spices.