Arnaldo Caprai

Tradition, innovation and typicity are the keywords of the daily efforts at the Arnaldo Caprai winery. And so this white wine from the old, local variety Grechetto is traditional, straightforward and pleasantly drinkable - and anything but banal. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pale straw yellow with a subtle silver sheen. Yellow apple and pear on the nose, slightly reminiscent of herbal sweets. Fresh and fruity on the palate, animating acidity, medium-long final with some fleur de sal." Falstaff

Caprais Montefalco Rosso is an attractive red made from predominantly Sangiovese with small portions of Sagrantino and Merlot. The aroma is unmistakably black cherries and violets, power and freshness on the palate, firm structure, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby red with a dark core. On the nose ripe blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries as well as slightly earthy notes. Well-integrated acidity on the palate, powerful with gripping tannins and lingering drinkability." Falstaff

"Pretty violets, roses, wild berries and hints of wet stone waft up from the 2020 Montefalco Rosso. This is juicy and playful, with balanced acids enlivening its crunchy red berry fruits, which leaves a slight mineral twang toward the close. The 2020 finishes fresh and perfumed with a spicy flourish. The Rosso Montefalco is a fun and vibrant blend." Vinous

"Aromas of grilled meat, baked plum and cooking spice. Full-bodied with dense tannins. Savory and layered with notes of coffee, iodine, clove and paprika." James Suckling

"Sweet herbs, dusty black cherries and a hint of smoke make the 2020 Montefalco Rosso Vigna Flaminia a real pleasure on the nose. It feels silky and elegant, with red and blue fruits carried by a saline acidity and balsamic herbs that build towards the finish. A slightly bitter aftertaste lingers, while the mouth remains watery and the blackcurrant notes slowly fade." Vinous

"Aromas of grilled plums, figs and roasted herbs. Full-bodied with grainy tannins. Woody spice on the palate is supported by well ripened red and black fruits. Dense." James Suckling

Deep violet-red colour, on the nose nuances of juniper berries, tar, smoke and liquorice. The Montefalco Rosso Riserva offers plenty of juiciness and brings an attractive combination of elegance and structure, richness in the aromas and polished tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby violet. Black pepper, curry, pickled cherries and very ripe plums on the nose, blackberry jam on the finish. Grip and power on the palate, showing dark fruit and rich, tight tannin, currently still a baby but will come together nicely, put away and enjoy fully in a few years." Falstaff

"Aromas of dried sage, coriander and dried plums. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Spicy. Extended and dense, with layers of fruits and spices. Very good intensity and depth. Needs more time to develop." James Suckling

"The 2019 Montefalco Rosso Riserva shows us how much depth and complexity can also be achieved with this combination of local varieties. The wine is intense and especially concentrated thanks to ripe fruit and careful oak aging. You feel the force of Sagrantino's tannic imprint, but that power is well managed and contained. With dark and chewy fruit, this is a wine you sink your teeth into." Wine Advocate

Aroma of dried black berries with nutty tones, tar, tobacco, candy, dark caramel and a light woody note. Powerful in the mouth, ripe, again partly dried fruit with a little cocoa-spicy wood flavours, slightly compote-like on the palate, dense and persistent, warming alcohol, present, predominantly crumbly tannin, some tar, behind it tobacco and herbs. Wonderful, partly salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Collepiano 2019 is incredibly beautiful, with hints of wild strawberry complemented by chalk dust and sweet tobacco. It is pure class, silky and round, with vibrant acidity driving an elegant wave of ripe red and black fruit. The savoury finish is long, leaving a web of fine-grained tannins that tug at the palate but fail to slow the 2019's momentum. The Collepiano will need a little ageing to show its best side." Vinous

"Aromas of dark cherries and red plums with dried herbs, spices, bark and nutmeg on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, dry and a little chewy with firm, chalky tannins and juicy dark fruit. Layered and structured." James Suckling

Caprais Montefalco Rosso is an attractive red made from predominantly Sangiovese with small portions of Sagrantino and Merlot. The aroma is unmistakably black cherries and violets, power and freshness on the palate, firm structure, elegant finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, dark ruby. Appealing nose with notes of sour cherry and blackberry, very clear. Lots of juicy fruit on the attack, opens with grippy, well-integrated tannins, salty and with good drinking flow." Falstaff

"Here I'm finding ripe black cherries laced with peppery herbs, as notes of sweet white smoke and purple flowers evolve in the glass. On the palate, silky textures coast across a core of juicy acids, delivering ripe red and blue fruits, and hints of fine tannin slowly collect upon the senses. The finish is long and youthfully structured, resonating on a mix of wild berries and sweet spice. The 2018 Montefalco Rosso from Arnaldo Caprai is cool-toned and really quite pretty, while keeping its fruit front and center. Very nice." Vinous

"Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, bay leaves and baking spices. It's medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and a chalky texture. Flavorful, savory finish." James Suckling

Black-red and almost impenetrable in the glass. Blackberry, black cherry, some rum pot and tobacco on the nose. Generous and ripe on the palate, flanked by taut tannins, which are pleasantly flanked by the fleshy core. Once again, Marco Caprai has succeeded in taming the Sagrantino grape and raising it to the highest heights - a grape variety that demands a great deal of sensitivity every year, even from the "bedrock" from Montefalco. SUPERIORE.DE

"Impenetrable, deep ruby red colour. Deep, sweet, intense and with spicy notes. Quite a big nose, but rather calm on the palate. Gentle, supple, but not lacking in fruit. Long, finely polished tannins." Jancis Robinson

"Ripe and intense dark berries, chocolate, dark coffee and sandalwood with hints of tar. Some dried blue flowers, too. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins and compact structure. Chalky and earthy at the end." James Suckling

"The 2019 Montefalco Sagrantino Valdimaggio is dark and brooding with a mentholated herbal note helping to lift its blend of incense, cloves and dried currants. The Sagrantino Valdimaggio is silky and supple, with a textural wave of tart wild berry and plum notes spilling over the palate and gaining tension as lively acids and grippy tannins mingle towards the finish. Although structured and built for the cellar, the 2019 impresses with its rosy, floral notes and shaved cedar nuances that keep popping up. Let this beauty linger in the cellar." Vinous

If you ever have the chance to taste a Sagrantino Passito from Montefalco, time stands still! Sensual bouquet of blueberries, liquorice and undergrowth. Firm and racy on the palate, with beautiful acidity, juice and power. Very melting and not a bit sticky, it delights with an irresistible taste of wild berry confit, dark berries and a subtle hint of nougat. World class! SUPERIORE.DE

In the Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni, all the elements of a wine full of character multiply exponentially: room-filling aromas of sweet berries, perfectly integrated wood tones, a cornucopia of ripe fruit on the palate, powerful and sensual. Caprai's top wine, which gives incredible pleasure and must be aerated for 3-4 hours when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe dark berries, chocolate, sweet spices, charred bark, walnuts and hints of tar on the nose. Full and intense with depth and persistence to the fruit and firm, slightly chewy tannins. Lingering and earthy finish." James Suckling

"24 months in barriques for the 'definitive' Sagrantino, the culmination of years of research: sour cherry, balsamic notes and star anise, with a hint of wild iris, dense, juicy, savoury on the palate, with notes of undergrowth, black fruits and sweet spices." Luca Gardini

"Rich ruby red with a garnet-red rim. Intense and multi-layered on the nose, with notes of ripe blackberries and Amarena cherries, echoes of violets, dark chocolate and malt, slightly ethereal. Powerful but well-integrated tannins on the palate, builds up in a multi-layered way with a very long final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni is imposing, buzzing with a dark mix of dried black cherries, crushed plums, sage, allspice and sweet mint. The texture is exciting, velvety yet cool, weighty yet tangy, washing over the palate with polished red and black fruits and slowly building black tea tannins. An abundance of spice, tobacco and blood orange nuances linger on the finish with tremendous length and concentration. The balance is absolutely fantastic. This is a breathtaking achievement." Vinous

Aroma of dried black berries with nutty tones, tar, tobacco, candy, dark caramel and light woody notes. Powerful in the mouth, ripe, again partly dried fruit with a little cocoa spicy wood aromas, slightly compote on the palate, dense and persistent, warming alcohol, present, predominantly crumbly tannin, some tar, tobacco and herbs behind. Wonderful, partly salty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dark ruby with a light garnet rim. Lots of dark fruit of blackberry and ripe plum, plus spicy rosemary. Lots of taut tannin on the palate, opens up in many layers, not a palate pleaser either, but doesn't dry, dark chocolate on the final." Falstaff

"Darkly alluring notes of plum and cherry sauce give way to balsamic spices and hints of mocha as the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino Collepiano blossoms in the glass. This is a deeply textural yet youthfully dense and poised expression, a wave of ripe black fruits, encased in a web of minerals, coasting along a core of brisk acids. Cooling hints of mint add lift through the massively structured finale, where sweet tobacco, baker’s chocolate and currants linger incredibly long. This is a towering yet sleek vintage of Collepiano that will enjoy a long life, though it will require a number of years to come fully into focus." Vinous

"A fresh and elegant red, showing aromas and flavors of cut hay, strawberry, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and tar. Lithe and intense, with a long, savory aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"With a dark, full-bodied color and ripe aromas of blackberry preserves and dark marmalade, the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino Collepiano packs a powerful punch at 15.5% alcohol. There are dustings of baking spice or bitter chocolate. Here is a full, big-bodied and brooding Sargrantino." Wine Advocate

Marco Caprai once again sets benchmarks in his region with this vintage. The 2014 edition of his top wine is a darkly saturated and almost viscous wine in an opulent and generous style. The wine smells of dark fruits, tobacco and smoky barbecue. The real protagonist, however, is the almost Christmas-like warm spiciness. The finish shows a firm structure and the astringency typical of Sagrantino, which will give way to impressive elegance and depth with further ageing in the cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich and flavorful red with ripe fruit, as well as meat and wood undertones. Medium to full body. Polished and chewy tannins. Slightly austere. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

"The 2014 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni is a steady and rich wine that shows dark primary fruit that is followed by a long succession of spice, smoke and tar-like aromas. You get the full Sagrantino package here, with ample muscle power and brawn. However, the wine's overall length and persistence is somewhat clipped in this challenging vintage." Wine Advocate

In the Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni, all the elements of a wine full of character multiply exponentially: room-filling aromas of sweet berries, perfectly integrated wood tones, a cornucopia of ripe fruit on the palate, powerful and sensual. Caprai's top wine, which gives incredible pleasure and must be aerated for 3-4 hours when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Ripe dark berries, chocolate, sweet spices, charred bark, walnuts and hints of tar on the nose. Full and intense with depth and persistence to the fruit and firm, slightly chewy tannins. Lingering and earthy finish." James Suckling

"24 months in barriques for the 'definitive' Sagrantino, the culmination of years of research: sour cherry, balsamic notes and star anise, with a hint of wild iris, dense, juicy, savoury on the palate, with notes of undergrowth, black fruits and sweet spices." Luca Gardini

"Rich ruby red with a garnet-red rim. Intense and multi-layered on the nose, with notes of ripe blackberries and Amarena cherries, echoes of violets, dark chocolate and malt, slightly ethereal. Powerful but well-integrated tannins on the palate, builds up in a multi-layered way with a very long final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni is imposing, buzzing with a dark mix of dried black cherries, crushed plums, sage, allspice and sweet mint. The texture is exciting, velvety yet cool, weighty yet tangy, washing over the palate with polished red and black fruits and slowly building black tea tannins. An abundance of spice, tobacco and blood orange nuances linger on the finish with tremendous length and concentration. The balance is absolutely fantastic. This is a breathtaking achievement." Vinous

In Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni, all the elements of a wine full of character multiply exponentially: space-filling aromas of sweet berries, perfectly integrated wood tones, on the palate a cornucopia of ripe fruit, powerful and sensual. Caprai's top growth, which gives incredible pleasure and must definitely be aerated for 3-4 hours when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark ruby violet with a black core. The nose is open-hearted and inviting, of chocolate powder, malt, vanilla, then of rich blackberries as well as Amarena cherries, with a delicate aftertaste of butter biscuits and dried violets. The palate is rich and radiant, showing dark and ripe fruit wrapped in rich and tightly woven tannin, building in many layers, final very long." Falstaff

"Aromas of black walnut, blackberry and licorice, following through to a full body with chewy tannins and lots of dark, inky fruit. Some walnut and coffee-bean undertones. Needs two or three years to soften." James Suckling

"An exotic and smoky mix of dusty dried flowers, allspice, sage and dried black cherries emerges from the hauntingly dark 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni. This is densely textural and weighty in feel, yet the balance is on point, as brisk acids maintain momentum, and a saturation of ripe red and black fruits permeate the palate. Balsam, mint, tobacco, dark chocolate and licorice can all be found through the long and utterly dramatic finale, as the 25 Anni finishes structured, yet more approachable than I’ve come to expect. Arnaldo Caprai did a great job in creating a highly successful wine in 2018; however, don’t expect it to take the usual ten years (or more) that this bottling usually does to come around." Vinous