2007 Sagrantino di Montefalco Pagliaro

Paolo Bea (which traces its roots back to the 1500s, though it was officially born only in 1973) is certified organic and farms over 17 hectares (three are rented), with various single-vineyard wines made from the Cerrete, Pagliara, Pipparello, Santa Chiara and San Valentino sites. For the most part, only native grapes are grown (a little Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also farmed). The estate is a huge proponent of natural wines and uses only indigenous yeasts, avoids temperature control, engages in minimal use of sulfur, and ages its wines in large old Slavonian oak barrels. Bea’s rich, mouth-coating wines are some of Montefalco’s most prized reds and have gathered quite a cult following in Italy and abroad.