I like to come back often, very nicely, in the beautiful Montefalco (Umbria region, at the centre of Italy), an uncontamined historical land of wine since Roman times. Think about it: it’s one of the few towns where the vineyards were inside their walls: they were really “urban vineyards”.
So, I will tell you the story of Cantina Fratelli Pardi (Pardis Brothers Winery). It began about a century ago, in 1919, when the three Pardi brothers (Alfredo, Francesco and Alberto) decided to produce and sell their local wines. At the time the wines were traveling to the Vatican where they were much appreciated. At that time Sagrantino was exclusively a sweet wine. Alberto, responsible for the commercial sector, died in 1943, leaving his older brothers. Later, the founders’ sons decided to close the winery and work in textiles sector: in 1949 the Tessitura Pardi was founded. But the oenological tradition remained intact and was perpetuate by Alberto’s son, Rio Pardi, who continued to produce small quantities of Sagrantino Passito.
Since 2002 great-grandchildren Francesco, Gianluca Rio and Alberto Mario (helped by parents Agostino and Alberto), to go back to producing wine: they decide to renovate the great-grandparents’ winery in the historic center of Montefalco.
I visited winery some time ago. In fact, very close to the historical central square of Montefalco you can find the modern Pardi brothers winery. But Pardis are also olive growers and oil producers. Pardi’s vineyards extend for about 11 hectares, on the rolling hills of Casale, Campolungo, Pietrauta and Lasignano, at about 240 meters above sea level, at Montefalco, called as the “balcony of Umbria”.
So the young Albertino Pardi tells about Sagrantino wine:
“We try to produce an elegant and drinkable wine, trying to overcome the initial impact so difficult, maintaining the typicality and character of both: grape and vintage. Nevertheless the typical roughness of the Sagrantino grape”.
My tasting note: Sacrantino 2014 – Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. This “Sacrantino” red wine is really a Pardi’s cru wine from Sagrantino grapes. I tasted this wine, last month, during “Anteprima Sagrantino 2014”. Bright garnet red colour in the glass. Flavour is infused by healing herbs, violet flowers, balsamic notes, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, pepper and a pinch of underwood. Taste a bit opulent, but fine, with well-balanced alcohol, soft and silky tannins. A harmonious, intense, elegant wine. Really Excellent.
Some technical data.100% Sagrantino grapes. Harvest in October. Wine-making: Fermentation on skins for 8-9 days. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Ageing in barrique for 18 months and in stainless steel tanks for 9-12 months. Release four years after the harvest. Produced 2.014 bottles.
Wine matching with red meats, roasts, duck and wine-braised meats and aged cheeses.
Retail price: € 35 – $ 43. My rating 94/100