Umbria

2009 Falesco Vitiano

Robert Parker raves about Falesco's wine- and with good reason. "One of the great values in the world continues to be the blend of equal parts Sangioves,Merlot and Cabernet called Vitiano. As I have written before, it's almost too good to believe at this price. The 2009 Vitiano Rosso is a big, super-ripe wine bursting with red cherries, earthiness and spices. This is a truly beautiful Vitiano Rosso with tons of fruit and a racy, opulent personality, especially for what remains an exceedingly modest price."R.Parker Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella, brothers and fellow enologists have been building their vineyard holdings in Umbria and Lazio for 20 years. (Riccardo consults for many of the worlds top wineries and has a huge following in the industry.) Vitiano, first produced in 1995, is the workhorse of their venture. Eighty -five percent of the grapes come from vineyards on the 740 acre Falesco estate- the rest from producers under strict control. This is a very modern, stylish Italian red and superb value.

2006 Falesco Sagrantino di Montefalco

2006 Falesco Umbrian Marciliano

Was $73. Falesco's 2006 Marciliano- from Umbria (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc) is a vibrant, perfumed offering that flows from the glass with pretty sensations of violets, dark cherries, French oak, new leather and sweet spices. The Marciliano possesses greater freshness and structure than the Montiano, along with slightly firmer tannins that will benefit from another 6-12 months of bottle age. Warm notes of roasted coffee beans and wild herbs linger on the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016." 92/100 Parker (Comes in a lovely wooden six pack if you order 6 bottles)