Within the rugged hills of Montefalco, the place the vines absorb each daylight and centuries, winemaker Lorenzo Mattoni is reshaping the story of Sagrantino.
By Heather Dolen
With an strategy grounded in precision, endurance, and profound respect for the land, Mattoni is producing among the most compelling wines rising from Italy immediately.
What units Mattoni aside isn’t flash or quantity; it’s intention. Each determination, from how the vines are pruned to how the wines age, appear to mirror a worth that authenticity is essentially the most highly effective assertion a winemaker could make. He farms sustainably and permits fermentations to unfold naturally with native yeasts. As an alternative of counting on heavy oak to form his wines, he ages them in giant Slavonian barrels—which assist soften Sagrantino’s formidable tannins whereas preserving its purity.
His Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG is a testomony to that philosophy. Darkish, structured, and fragrant, it opens slowly within the glass, revealing layers of blackberry, wild herbs, violets, and heat spice. It’s a wine constructed to evolve— not simply over the course of a night, but additionally over a few years in bottle.
In the meantime, “Dinamico” Rosso affords a extra quick window into Mattoni’s type, mixing Sagrantino with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create a vibrant, expressive crimson that also carries the soul of Montefalco.
A dinner held at ‘ino restaurant in New York Metropolis lately featured a night with Lorenzo, showcasing a curated choice of his wines, paired superbly with dishes ready by ’ino’s chef and proprietor, Jamie Kenyon. From the intense, vibrant Trebbiano via to the Sangrantino—the wines proved to be an ideal illustration of the integrity and fervour Lorenzo Mattoni
places into his wine, whereas capturing the very coronary heart of Montefalco—Precision dialed to perfection, and an entire pleasure to expertise.
Chilled Sip Suggestions: Sip Like a Professional
Tasting Notes: Dense black fruit, plum pores and skin, cocoa, and dried herbs wrapped in agency but refined tannins—basic Sagrantino elevated by Mattoni’s finesse.
Pair It With: Osso Buco, truffle pasta, grilled lamb, or aged pecorino.
Strive This: Lorenzo Mattoni Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG—his flagship, intensely terroir-driven expression.
Insider Transfer: Begin with Mattoni “Dinamico” Rosso—approachable, energetic, and the right introduction earlier than exploring pure Sagrantino.
The submit From the Vine: Lorenzo Mattoni: Crafting the Way forward for Montefalco Sagrantino appeared first on Chilled Journal.
