Cesarini Sartori's Montefalco Sagrantino is a full-bodied expression of Umbria's distinctive red grape. Sagrantino is known for its substantial tannic structure, so this is a wine that benefits from time and a thoughtful food match. It offers a more focused look at the variety than a Montefalco Rosso blend.
- Aromas: Tobacco, leather and vanilla, with liquorice, currant, rosemary and clove adding savoury detail around the darker fruit.
- Palate: Substantial but refined, with tannins framing blackberry and currant flavours. Spice and bitter-orange hints add definition to the savoury finish.
- Style: A dry, powerful Umbrian red for drinkers who enjoy tannin, concentration and a wine that asks for a proper meal.
- Winemaking: Selected Sagrantino is given wood maturation in larger casks and barriques, followed by extended bottle ageing. This patient sequence develops complexity and helps integrate the grape's naturally substantial tannic structure.
- Cellaring: Drink now if well stored, with potential for further development in bottle. If ageing further, store in a cool and dark location. Before opening stand upright to settle sediment, and taste before choosing gentle decanting or further aeration.
- Food Pairing: Braised beef, slow-roasted lamb, wild boar ragù or mature hard cheese; protein and savoury richness are particularly helpful with its tannins.
If you like a red with a firm handshake, Sagrantino belongs on your list. Give it a hearty dish and some time in the glass, then enjoy the way its structure holds the meal together. A distinctive Umbrian choice for an unhurried evening. Serve slightly cool, taste before deciding on decanting, and give the wine time to develop in the glass.
Cesarini Sartori
In the hills around Bastardo, in the heart of Umbria, Cesarini Sartori brings an inventive spirit to a region rich in wine tradition. Luciano Cesarini, his wife Fiorella and brother Giuseppe exchanged established careers for a new life in wine, creating a family project that combines countryside values with technical ingenuity. Sagrantino is the defining local grape, supported by Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet in the reds, and Grechetto and Sauvignon Blanc among the whites. Daughter Alice has also helped share the family’s enthusiasm for Umbria’s distinctive varieties.
The estate, also known through its Signae identity, is particularly interesting for its willingness to explore beyond conventional formulas. Technology is used to support careful production, while blends such as Rossobastardo offer an accessible introduction to the cellar’s style. More structured Montefalco wines reveal Sagrantino’s depth and character, and Grechetto-based whites bring a softer counterpoint. The result is an engaging combination of family conviction, local grapes and experimentation: an Umbrian winery for drinkers who enjoy discovering the personality behind a bottle as much as the wine itself.
