1997 Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni
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Deep, dark and almost animalistic in nature, the 1997 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni boasts a rich ruby hue in the glass without any bricking at the rim. Balsamic spice, dried black cherries, leather, minty herbs and hints of mocha form its beguiling bouquet. Its textures are velvety-smooth, yet the wine is surprisingly lifted with tart berries and sweet inner herbal tones, as silty tannins slowly saturate toward the close. While still lightly structured, which I believe the 1997 always will be, the finale remains completely pleasurable and long, with a mentholated freshness and a bitter hint of espresso that lingers.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Eric Guido, Vinous
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Caprai's top wine, the Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni, was first released in 1993 to commemorate the estate's 25th anniversary. It has since gone on to become one of Italy's most recognized wines. The 25 Anni starts as a vineyard selection of the finest fruit at harvest, followed by a second selection in the cellar. Essentially the 25 Anni represents the finest barrels of Sagrantino the estate has produced in a given year. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in French oak and sees approximately 50-60% new barrels, depending on the vintage. The 1997 Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni is a powerful wine packed with generous fruit. This doesn't appear to be a perfectly clean 25 Anni, as elements of brettiness detract from the wine's overall balance. Ultimately the 1997 is a rather one-dimensional wine, despite its considerable richness.