What kind of wine is Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone
The Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone is an Umbrian red wine of great personality, made 100% from Sagrantino grapes, one of the oldest and most distinctive grape varieties in the region. This wine perfectly represents the soul of the Montefalco area, where the microclimate and clayey and calcareous soils give the grapes structure, complexity, and longevity. It is a full-bodied, powerful yet balanced red, designed for those who love intense, deep, and long-lasting wines.
Vintage Details
The 2011 vintage is considered of excellent quality in Umbria, characterized by a warm and stable summer that allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes. The harvest took place between late September and early October, with perfectly healthy grapes rich in anthocyanins, essential for the wine's color and structure. This condition helped give the Sagrantino “Sacer” 2011 a mature, warm, and refined aromatic profile.
Winemaking and Aging
The Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone is produced through traditional winemaking: alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by a long maceration on the skins to extract color, tannins, and aromas. Aging is an essential part of its character: the wine matures for about 18 months in French oak barriques, where it softens and acquires complexity. This is followed by further aging of at least three years in the bottle, to achieve the perfect harmony between structure, elegance, and depth.
Tasting Notes
Color
Visually, it presents a dense ruby red with garnet hues. The intense color testifies to the great concentration typical of Sagrantino and its aptitude for long aging.
Nose
The aroma is broad and enveloping. It opens with notes of ripe red fruits, plum, and blackberry, followed by spicy nuances of vanilla, cocoa, and sweet tobacco. Balsamic and slightly mentholated hints then emerge, lending elegance and depth. Each sip recalls the territory, with a complex yet harmonious bouquet.
Palate
On the palate, it is full and vigorous, with a solid structure supported by firm but well-integrated tannins. The finish is long and pleasant, with an aftertaste that recalls fruit in syrup and spices. It is a wine that evolves in the glass, offering new nuances with each sip and a pleasant sensation of balance between strength and finesse.
Food Pairings for Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone
Thanks to its intensity and significant tannic structure, this wine prefers pairings with flavorful and rich dishes. It pairs perfectly with:
- Grilled or stewed red meats
- Braised game and wild fowl
- Aged, hard cheeses
- Typical Umbrian dishes such as wild boar stew or roasted lamb
Served at a temperature of approximately 18 °C, the “Sacer” 2011 shows its best, enhancing intense flavors and balancing the taste sensations of richer dishes.
Storage and Aging: how to store Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone wine
The Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone is a wine with a long evolution, capable of delivering great emotions even after many years. For optimal storage, it is recommended to:
- Keep bottles horizontal to keep the cork consistently moist
- Maintain a constant temperature between 12 and 16 °C
- Avoid sudden temperature changes and direct light
- Prefer environments with humidity around 70%
If stored correctly, this Sagrantino can evolve for over 15-20 years, developing tertiary notes of licorice, leather, and balsamic over time, typical of great meditation wines.
Colpetrone
The history of the Colpetrone winery The Colpetrone winery is rooted in a deep winemaking tradition that harmoniously blends with modern innovation. Since its foundation, Colpetrone has dedicated passion and expertise inherited from previous generations to create quality wines. Over the years, th...
How to best open and serve Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone
1. Bottle positioning
Before opening Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone, let the bottle rest in an upright position for at least 24 hours. This allows natural sediments, typical of great aged wines, to settle at the bottom, ensuring a clear pour free of impurities.
During this phase, avoid shaking the bottle or subjecting it to temperature fluctuations. If it has been stored lying down in a cellar, handle it delicately and carefully return it to an upright position.
2. Ideal serving temperature
The ideal temperature to enhance the complex aromas and structure of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone is approximately 18°C. To achieve this:
- If the wine is stored in a cool cellar (12–14°C), take it out about an hour before serving.
- If the room temperature is above 20°C, you can cool it for 10–15 minutes in a bucket with water and ice, avoiding prolonged cooling to prevent altering the aromas.
3. Opening the bottle
As this is a 2011 wine, the cork might be fragile. Follow these steps for safe opening:
- Cut the capsule below the neck ring using a foil cutter or a sommelier knife.
- Carefully clean the rim of the bottle with a clean cloth.
- Insert the corkscrew into the center of the cork and twist slowly, avoiding force: a steady motion reduces the risk of breakage.
- If the cork shows signs of crumbling, use a long-lever or two-stage corkscrew.
4. Inspection and first taste
After opening, check that the wine does not have unpleasant odors of cork taint or oxidation. Pour a small amount into the glass and observe the color: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone should display intense garnet hues with orange reflections, typical of aging. On preliminary tasting, the wine may initially seem closed: this is normal for a structured red of this age.
5. Decanting and aeration
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone greatly benefits from decanting. This process allows the separation of sediments and lets the wine breathe, fully expressing its aromas and roundness on the palate.
- Use a wide-necked decanter to promote aeration.
- Slowly pour the wine into the decanter, maintaining a constant motion and checking for any sediments near the bottom.
- Leave the wine in the decanter for at least 1–2 hours before serving.
During this time, the bouquet will evolve, revealing complex notes of ripe fruit, spices, and licorice.
6. Serving
Serve the wine in large red wine glasses, ideal for enhancing the aromas and allowing proper aeration in the glass. Pour a moderate amount to facilitate the swirling of the wine in the glass and observe its evolution. Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone magnificently accompanies flavorful dishes such as roasts, game, or aged cheeses.
7. Storage after opening
If you don't consume the entire bottle, re-seal it with an airtight stopper or a vacuum system and store it in the refrigerator. The wine will retain its characteristics for 2–3 days. Before serving it again, slowly bring it back to room temperature. Avoid direct exposure to light and heat, which accelerate oxidation.
By following these simple but fundamental guidelines, you will be able to appreciate all the character and elegance of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG “Sacer” 2011 - Còlpetrone, an authentic expression of Umbria and its extraordinary winemaking tradition.