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.

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.

An affordable Umbrian red for an accomplished producer such as Arnaldo Caprai, the 2018 Montefalco Rosso is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Merlot. The wine shows a dark ruby color but is a little closed, with difficulty to open fully. The bouquet does eventually settle on dark cherry, plum and blackberry. The tannins are soft and elegant, and that is a good achievement.