On the Road with the Grape Guy

Montefalco Rosso e Rosso Riserva (2025 Tasting)

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

(June 2025) ... Now, let's look at the red wines of Montefalco ... the Anteprima for the Sagrantino is coming quickly (earlier than the previous year) - so it is time to look at the wines from last year, before I start looking at the wines from this year. Not only as a reminder, but a refresher of the vintage. These are the Rosso and the Riservas ... I have my thoughts about both styles and these will appear in my notes at the bottom of each category.

This year I added a little "personal aside" to my notes. These were spur of the moment comments that I wrote at the time of the tasting, after going through all the wines in that category.

MONTEFALCO ROSSO DOC

BETTER PLUS ... 

Cocco Ilaria 2020 Camorata - Montefalco Rosso    
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)

Tenuta Alzatura 2022 Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)    

BETTER ...

Arnaldo Caprai 2023 Montefalco Rosso    
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)
Arnaldo Caprai 2022 Vigna Flaminia Maremmana - Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Canaiolo)
Bocale 2022 Montefalco Rosso     
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 10% Merlot, 5% Colorino)
Colle Ciocco 2021 Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)
Di Filippo 2022 Montefalco Rosso     
(60% Sangiovese, 30% Barbera, 10% Sagrantino)    
La Fonte 2020 Collefreddo - Montefalco Rosso 
(60% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 20% Merlot)    
Le Cimate 2022 Montefalco Rosso 
(60% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 10% Tannat, 10% Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso)
Montioni 2021 Montefalco Rosso 
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)
Moretti Omero 2022 Montefalco Rosso     
(70% Sangiovese, 25% Sagrantino, 5% Altri Vitigni A Bacca Rossa)
Romanelli 2021 Capo De Casa - Montefalco Rosso    
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)
Tenuta Bellafonte 2022 Pomontino - Montefalco Rosso     
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Tenuta Di Saragano 2019 Montefalco Rosso     
(60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot, 10% Montepulciano D'abruzzo)

GOOD PLUS

Briziarelli 2022 Montefalco Rosso     
(60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 10 % Sagrantino)
Goretti - Fattoria Le Mura Saracene 2022 Montefalco Rosso 
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)
Tenute Baldo 2022 Volo Del Falco - Montefalco Rosso     
(85% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino)
Tenute Lunelli-Carapace 2023 Ziggurat - Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot E Cabernet)
Tudernum 2022 Montefalco Rosso    
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)

GOOD

Benedetti&Grigi 2022 Attunis - Montefalco Rosso    
(70% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 10% Merlot)
Colpetrone 2022 Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)
Dionigi 2020 Montefalco Rosso 
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)
Scacciadiavoli 2023 Montefalco Rosso     
(65% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)
Terre De' Trinci 2022 Montefalco Rosso     
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)
Valdangius 2021 Pippinello - Montefalco Rosso 
(65% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)

Personal Aside: These are the wines that keep the lights on and the furnace / air running. These wines make the world go round, so you'd better at least have a good one. The betters (and above) of these are juicy, have great acidity and make you want to come back for another glass and another and another. I can't stress how important these wines are, and the ones that impress are the ones you keep craving - ever after the last sip. Some that had a slight "accidental" chill (meaning they saw the inside of the fridge due to someone thinking they were a white wine) were even better. We, as wine drinkers and lovers, should not be afraid to pull this trick more often.

______________________________________

MONTEFALCO ROSSO RISERVA DOC

BETTER PLUS

Tenuta Di Saragano 2018 Montefalco Rosso Riserva 
(60% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 20% Merlot)

BETTER

Perticaia 2019 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(75% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 5% Cabernet Franc)
Romanelli 2019 Molinetta - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Tenuta Bellafonte 2021 Maesta' 4 Chiavi - Montefalco Rosso Riserva 
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Tenute Baldo 2019 Remigrante - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Valdangius 2020 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)

GOOD PLUS

Arnaldo Caprai 2022 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot)
Briziarelli 2022 Rosso Mattone - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Moretti Omero 2021 Facciatosta - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(75% Sangiovese, 25% Sagrantino)
Terre De' Trinci 2021 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(65% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino)

GOOD

Antonelli 2021 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(80% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino)
Cesarini-Sartori 2020 Ripenere - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(60% Sangiovese, 16% Merlot, 15% Sagrantino, 9% Cabernet)
Di Filippo 2021 Sallustio - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(60% Sangiovese, 25% Barbera, 15% Sagrantino)
Fongoli 2018 Serpullo - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(60% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 20% Montepulciano)
Tenute Lunelli-Carapace 2021 Lampante - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot E Cabernet)
Terre De La Custodia 2018 Rubium - Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(70% Sangiovese, 20% Sagrantino, 10% Merlot)
Terre Di San Felice 2020 Montefalco Rosso Riserva
(70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Sagrantino)

Personal Aside: Due to the 38 degree heat, on the day of tasting, the Riservas were kept cold with a little chill; the good news is this showed different aspects of these wines. Look, chill brings up the fruit, which is great, but over-oaked is still over-oaked and when that chill hits the wood, it's like licking a popsicle stick and biting down - sends a chill down your spine. Reserves still need balance. The ones scored, had it in varying degrees.

Bordeaux 2025 : Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

(Jan. 18, 2025) … This over 140 wine tasting took most of the day, we had a break for a delicious lunch and even sat down with our host winery for a conversation that ended up on the Two Guys Talking Wine podcast (link here). 

All said and done I think it is easy to say that 2022 is the vintage that Bordeaux will be talking about for a long time – even the older wines could not hold a candle to its balance. 

The scoring is similar to all the other Bordeaux reports I have done in this series, three-star: good/better/best.


THREE star wines

Chateau de la Dauphine 2022 Fronsac
the richness of this juice is profound, the acidity balances, the tannins are silky while still showing presence on the finish. A really nice glass of wine    

Chateau Siaurac 2022 Lalande de Pomerol        
fine tannins, plum, black cherry, blackberry, very fruity     
    

TWO star wines
                
Chateau Cote Montpezat 2022 Cuvee Compostelle        
floral with a nice richness of fruit, plum, blackberry and black cherry; acidity is not too aggressive and the tannins silky.   

Chateau Dalem 2022 Fronsac
juicy black fruit, a little smoke, black cherry, plum, nice spice and acidity    

Chateau de Candale 2022 Saint Emilion Grand Cru        
another one from group of Jacobins - this has pretty elegance and good fruit character. spice also kicks in and the acidity keeps it fresh. Like this group of wineries 
    
Chateau de Reignac 2022 R de Reignac        
playful and fun, especially when cold - nice fruit, good acidity - pretty with violets innthere as well.   

Chateau Deyrem Valentin 2022 Margaux
chocolate, black cherry and spice; with enough acidity to balance it all - this is a friendly bottle and a good intro to Margaux in the 2022 vintage.  

Chateau Fontenil 2022 Fronsac 
plus and black cherry, lush and plush in the mouth, silky tannins, pretty floral character - juicy and lively with acidity.  

Chateau Grand Ormeau 2022 Lalande de Pomerol
shows and elegance of flavours and herbal-spices.    

Chateau La Commanderie 2022 Pomerol
pleasant and juicy - easy to drink ... fruit mixes with some spice and subtle tobacco flavours - a pretty wine.    

Chateau la Vieille Cure 2022 Fronsac 
nice spice and juicy mid-palate, good acidity, playful and friendly - plum, black cherry, cassis - all over this one.    

Chateau les Trois Croix 2022 Fronsac 
another winner from Fronsac - down-plays the fruitiness for a more refined mouthfeel and taste, plus nice tobacco notes.    

Chateau Moncets 2022 Lalande de Pomerol        
a juicy fruited wine of plum and spice - very Christmas spice almost with some clove weaving between the cherry and plum.    

Chateau Reault 2022 Cadillac - Cotes de Bordeaux        
there is a nice bit of blueberry and cassis here that comes across a little lean, but it at least establishes itself - acid helps keep it from being over the top, but it is nicely drinkable.    

Chateau Reault 2022 Carat de Chateau Reault        
fruit is more vibrant and punch, good acidity keeps the plum and black cherry in check - but it is a nice bottle of wine.    

Chateau Rochemorin 2022 Pessac-Leognan        
dark fruit with a nice mineral component that plays off the stones - cassis and blackberry, subtle pencil shavings and nice acidity.    

ONE star wines ...

Chateau Bellerive 2022 Cru Bourgeois - Medoc
Chateau Blanche Hermine    2022 Lalande de Pomerol
Chateau Brondelle 2022 Graves
Chateau Cap Leon Veyrun 2022 Cru Bourgeois Superieur - Listrac-Medoc
Chateau Carignan 2022 Prima
Chateau de Haut Coulon 2022 Cadillac - Cotes de Bordeaux
Chateau de la Huste 2022 Fronsac
Chateau de la Riviere 2022 Fronsac
Chateau de Laussac 2022 Cuvee Sacha
Chateau de Reignac 2022 Balthus
Chateau Haura 2022 Graves
Chateau la Grace Fonrazade 2022 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau La Haye    2022 Saint Estephe
Chateau Le Coteau 2022 Margaux
Chateau Leroy-Beauval 2022 Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Loudenne 2022 Le Chateau
Chateau Moulin Haut-Laroque 2022 Fronsac
Chateau Pas de L'Ane 2022 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Penin 2022 Les Cailloux - Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Peyredon Lagravette 2022 Cru Bourgeois - Haut-Medoc
Chateau Ramafort 2022 Cru Bourgeois - Medoc
Chateau Reynon 2022 Cadillac - Cotes de Bordeaux
Chateau Sainte-Marie 2022 Cotes de Bordeaux
Chateau Sainte-Marie 2022 Vieilles Vignes
Chateau Soutard-Cadet 2022 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Taillefer 2022 Pomerol
Chateau Tauzinat L'Hermitage 2022 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Clos Puy Arnaud    2022 Castillon - Cotes de Bordeaux
Clos Vieux Taillefer 2022 Pomerol
Grand Vin de Reignac 2022 Bordeaux Superieur

White Wines
        
TWO star wines
            
Chateau Cantegril 2022 Barsac
Honeyed peaches and apricots, poached pears - lovely.    

Chateau de la Dauphine 2022 Blanc
Crisp, clean, lanolin and wax but backed with some nice citrus and good acidity.    

Chateau de Rochmarin 2022 Blanc
Nice pink grapefruit: pulp and pith - refreshing and clean.    

Clos Floridene 2022 Graves 
Clean, bright and refreshing - lime and grapefruit pith - decent acidity.    

ONE star wines
                
Chateau Brondelle 2023 Graves
Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens 2022 Pierre Blanche (Sauvignon Blanc)
Chateau Haut Bertinerie 2023 Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)
Chateau Haut-Bergeron 2022 Sauternes
Chateau Leroy-Beauval 2022 Blanc
Chateau Loudenne 2022 Le Chateau Blanc

"OLDER" Vintages 

TWO star

Chateau de Pressac 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Very friendly, starting to open up, nice acidity and good tannins - fruit remains at the core.    

Chateau Pas de L'Ane 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru        
Fruit is good and maturity is coming along - this is a wine that you'll drink over the next few years happily.

Chateau Sansonnet 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru        
Spicy and chocolate, plum and black cherry - full-bodied and licorice.    

Chateau Soutard-Cadet 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru        
Black cherry, licorice, good acidity and spice - nice longevity to come. 

  
ONE star

Chateau de la Dauphine 2020 Fronsac
Chateau de Pressac 2021 Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Chateau Deyrem Valentin 2020 Margaux
Chateau Haut Breton 2020 Margaux
Chateau La Croizille 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau La Croizille 2021 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Leroy-Beauval 2020 Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Leroy-Beauval 2021 Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Pas de L'Ane 2021 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Sansonnet  2021 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Soutard-Cadet 2021 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Tauzinat L'Hermitage 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Tour Baladoz 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Tour de Pressac 2020 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Chateau Tour Saint-Fort 2021 Saint Estephe

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