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

"Wonderfully fresh and perfumed, the 2020 Grecante Grechetto lifts from the glass with a display of sweet white flowers, peach skins and raw almonds. It boasts silky, nearly glycerol-like textures, yet it remains lifted and spry throughout, as ripe tangerine and hints of candied lime soothe the senses. A buzz of residual acids and tart green apple lingers long as this tapers off to a flourish of salty minerals and spice. This Grecante really wows in the context of its price point." Vinous

"Apple-blossom, pear, pomelo, fennel-seed and wild-herb aromas. It's medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Earthy and minerally undertones." James Suckling

"Produced since the 1989 vintage, Arnaldo Caprai's Grecante is a fresh expression of Grechetto aged for a brief three months in steel and three months in bottle. It's a herbal, lemon-scented white with streaks of lime, gooseberry and tropical fruit. In the mouth it's intense with good acidity and spiky citrus flavours on the attack, tempered by a round, creamy palate. Minerally and herbal, it has mid-palate notes of gooseberry, peppery spice and yellow fruits leading to a long, fresh finish. Ideal with grilled seafood." Decanter

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

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

"Rich, dark ruby with a slight garnet shimmer. Initially shows earthy notes, lots of tobacco, then dark berry fruit, some liquorice. Powerful and present on the palate, opens with dense tannin, rich pressure, dark chocolate on the final." Falstaff

"Matured for 20 months in oak rather than the 12 months of the non-Riserva, this displays much more wood influence. Strawberry and hedgerow berry aromas are joined by tobacco and wood notes, while the palate is juicy, intense yet fresh, with plump red and black berries and a herbal character on the mid-palate leading to a chocolatey finish. It's all nicely balanced by fresh, zingy acidity and ripe, chewy tannins." Decanter

"The 2016 Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso Riserva blends 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot to create a powerful but deeply alluring expression, showing crushed blackberry and cherry offset by spiced orange, with sweet and savory herbs, crushed stone and hints of animal musk. On the palate, soft textures envelop the senses, contrasted by tart red fruits, grippy minerality and fine tannins, yet for all of the youthful tension, there's a cooling, subtle sweetness here that provides balance. The finish is long and structured, resonating on sweet herbs, with hints of mocha and tobacco. It's not a shy wine, yet if you enjoy the style, a few years of cellaring will unlock even further depth." Vinous

"Here's a very floral and "postmodern" Montefalco that shows dried violets, lavender, bay leaf, pine cones and some dried meat. It's still warm and hearty on the full-bodied palate, but bolstered by carefully wrought tannins and direct acidity. Drink from 2021." 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

If you ever have the chance to get a Sagrantino Passito from Montefalco in your glass, then time stands still! Sensual bouquet of blueberries, liquorice and undergrowth. At the palate firm and racy, with nice 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 fine tart nougat note. World class! SUPERIORE.DE

Black red and almost impenetrable in the glass. On the nose blackberry, black cherry, some rum pot and tobacco. Generous and ripe on the palate, flanked by taut tannin, which is pleasantly flanked by the fleshy core. Once again, Marco Caprai has succeeded in taming the Sagrantino grape and helping it to the highest dignities - a grape variety that demands a great deal of tact every year even from the "bedrock" from Montecalco. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, rich ruby. Shows notes of pickled cherries and plums, lots of tobacco. Lots of ripe berry fruit on the nose, opens up with dense tannin." Falstaff

"The first vintage of Valdimaggio was 2012. Matured in French oak barriques for 24 months, it has brambly hedgerow berry scents followed by an intense mouthful of blackberry, spicy raspberry, damp earth, sweet tobacco and woody notes. Ripe, minty and chocolatey, the grippy tannins take centre-stage on the mid-palate, the finish lengthened by super-fresh acidity and persistent black and red fruits, with just a touch of vanilla bean." Decanter

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

"This has a very refined feel for a Sagrantino with equal measures of currants, red berries and oak. Medium-to full-bodied with intense fruit and lightly chewy, polished tannins that do very little to impede the progress of the fruit and minerals through the long finish." James Suckling

"The truly captivating 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni pulls you close to the glass with a beguiling bouquet that mixes citrus-tinged black fruits with exotic spices, hints of oregano, menthol and a dusting of cocoa. While there's admirable weight and depth here, the textures are more like pure silk, delicately draped across the palate, yet leaving behind a saturating blend of intense dark fruits, minerals and fine-grained tannin. There's so much depth and concentration to work through that, even as the 2016 finishes youthfully structured and dry, it continues to resonate for well over a minute with notes of currant, sage and dark chocolate. Bury this beautiful beast for at least 3-5 years in your cellar, and then enjoy it over the next decade or more. This is a fantastic rendition of Arnaldo Caprai's 25 Anni." Vinous

"This bottle is a true ambassador for Umbria. You get ample varietal tones in the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni, with bitter chocolate and baking spice, but Caprai does a terrific job of softening up and fleshing out the Sagrantino grape to display a more contemporary and ultimately more approachable and versatile wine. It boasts a huge, bold and opulent mouthfeel with plenty of structure and determination." Robert Parker

Aroma of dried black berries with nutty tones, tar, tobacco, candy, dark caramel and light wood 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." Robert Parker

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

"Aromas of baked plum, purple flowers, exotic spices and French oak form the nose on this full-bodied red. The firmly structured palate shows focus and finesse, delivering ripe black cherry, spiced blueberry, licorice and tobacco alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins that leave a rather drying finish. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2035." Wine Enthusiast

"Although this is ripe and decadent, it’s also very polished and inviting. Dried plums, tar, menthol, licorice and caramelized oranges and cedar are all in play. The tannins are enormous, but they’re covered in dark-chocolate notes and enhanced by vibrant dark fruit. Full-bodied and long on the luxurious finish." James Suckling

"Red and black autumnal fruits, damp earth and peppery spice aromas lead to a ripe palate with fresh, fine-grained tannins and a minty edge. There's a glorious sweetness running through the bright red and black fruits, accompanied on the mid-palate by earth, tobacco and wood. Young and coiled with a persistent finish, this is ready to spring out of the glass in 10-15 years." Decanter

"This is a baritone beauty. The 2015 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni is a darkly extracted and thick expression with inky-black fruit aromas that are followed by finer accents of licorice, smoke and tar. The bouquet is deep and complex. There is dark spice here as well, but those spicy tones are mixed with balsam herb, barbecue smoke and teriyaki. The wine is full-bodied and layered, with rich textural fiber. This vintage will award those who wait." Robert Parker

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

"This has a very refined feel for a Sagrantino with equal measures of currants, red berries and oak. Medium-to full-bodied with intense fruit and lightly chewy, polished tannins that do very little to impede the progress of the fruit and minerals through the long finish." James Suckling

"The truly captivating 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni pulls you close to the glass with a beguiling bouquet that mixes citrus-tinged black fruits with exotic spices, hints of oregano, menthol and a dusting of cocoa. While there's admirable weight and depth here, the textures are more like pure silk, delicately draped across the palate, yet leaving behind a saturating blend of intense dark fruits, minerals and fine-grained tannin. There's so much depth and concentration to work through that, even as the 2016 finishes youthfully structured and dry, it continues to resonate for well over a minute with notes of currant, sage and dark chocolate. Bury this beautiful beast for at least 3-5 years in your cellar, and then enjoy it over the next decade or more. This is a fantastic rendition of Arnaldo Caprai's 25 Anni." Vinous

"This bottle is a true ambassador for Umbria. You get ample varietal tones in the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni, with bitter chocolate and baking spice, but Caprai does a terrific job of softening up and fleshing out the Sagrantino grape to display a more contemporary and ultimately more approachable and versatile wine. It boasts a huge, bold and opulent mouthfeel with plenty of structure and determination." Robert Parker