It always stands out at the top of the rankings, certainly mine, with a historical line concentrated heavily on red wines from a sustainable, energetically autonomous winery, certified organic since 2023. Ten hectares of total property including olive trees of which 6 of vines plus one rented for the production of a white. Total production is around 40,000 bottles per year with grapes of Sagrantino but also Sangiovese, Merlot and Colorino for the red blend ‘Montefalco’ along with Trebbiano Spoletino for the white mentioned above.
We are in Umbria today, Central Italy and, more specifically, in Montefalco to discover the local excellences facilitated by the personalized tours carried out on the occasion of the last “AMontefalco” event. Since 2002 the Valentini family has relaunched the family tradition and mr. Valentino’s (Valentini) smile conveys the confidence and determination of those who have clarity of ideas and firm purpose.
The goal, generally speaking, is to achieve quality and “approachability” by harvesting a little later, with less extractive macerations by controlling the temperatures to extending the process, all with the support fo their consultant: the well-known Italian winemaker Falsini.
bocale – montefalco, umbria
The Trebbiano Spoletino 2022 (cold macerated overnight and subjected to slow fermentation at low temperatures in contact with the fine lees) is intense and well developed: the intrigue lies in the combination of different olfactory levels which simultaneously recall peach, lavender and basil for a round and full on the palate.
Montefalco rosso 2020 has a fine nose: notes of roses anticipates the toasty ones for a dynamic sip. Sagrantino is transforming thanks to the introduction of big wooden barrels: among those preceding the change, the 2008 is in fact rather developed despite the lure of the nose with aromas of black cherry, fennel and vanilla; the 2013 vintage (in which at least half of the mass was matured instead in big casks) with a nose of mon-cherrì and herbs opens up to a juicy and more intact palate.
Still in progress is the 2018 which promises complexity while remaining delicious and which is accompanied by the label launched in the name of the father (limited production): “Ennio” 2019 a Sagrantino which will be released at the end of 2024 after 2 years in the bottle: “airy” and composite on the nose with a smooth mouthfeel of ripe fruit and integrated tannin.
Bocale (Company – Bocale) is the dialectal term to indicate the 2L jug of wine or oil with which the family is identified. Vegan products and enthusiasm. It’s a pleasure to visit them.
