LORENZO MATTONI
MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO 2016
DOCG • ABSOLUTE POWER • UMBRIA, ITALY
"The tamed beast: the most powerful red wine in the world raised to a sublime elegance by the hand of Lorenzo Mattoni."
The Legend of Montefalco
The 2016 Lorenzo Mattoni Montefalco Sagrantino is a masterpiece of patience and terroir. This red wine is not made, it is sculpted. Sourced from selected vineyards in the hills of Spoleto and Montefalco, the Sagrantino grape is famous for its unmatched intensity. The 2016 vintage is iconic in Italy for providing a cool climate that allowed for slow ripening, transforming the wild power of the Sagrantino into a structure of velvet and infinite depth. It is a cult wine for collectors.
1. Identity Profile
Winery: Lorenzo Mattoni.
Origin: Montefalco DOCG, Umbria, Italy.
Vintage: 2016 (Golden Vintage).
Aging: 36 months minimum (including a long period in large oak barrels and bottle rest).
Volume: 750 ml.
Varietal: 100% Sagrantino.
2. Sommelier Notes
Appearance: Impenetrable ruby red with deep garnet highlights. High opacity and great density.
Nose: Massive aromas of black blackberry, liqueur cherry, dried violets, and earthy minerality. As it opens, notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, resin, and black pepper emerge.
Palate: An imposing attack. The tannins are dense and granular, yet of a silky quality thanks to their evolution. Endless finish with echoes of cocoa, ripe plum, and Eastern spices.
3. Wine Architecture (2016 Vintage)
4. Pairing and Suggested Moments
Gastronomy: A wine of this magnitude requires dishes high in fat and protein to balance its tannins. It pairs masterfully with venison, wood-roasted lamb, beef stews with wine reductions, or the classic "Pecorino Stagionato" (highly aged sheep's milk cheese). It is also an excellent companion for dishes with black truffles from Umbria.
Suggested Moments:
- Special Celebration: The wine for life's milestones; a 50th anniversary, a graduation, or a high-level wedding.
- Prestige Gift: The definitive gift for a wine collector looking for the best of Italy.
- Business: Ideal for closing important deals where you want to project strength, patience, and success.
- Gala Romantic Dinner: For an evening where the wine is the center of conversation.
- Distinguished Family Meal: To elevate a traditional barbecue to an international luxury experience.
- Premium Steak: Pairs perfectly with cuts like Rib Eye or Prime Rib with a pepper crust.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Is Sagrantino stronger than a Cabernet Sauvignon?
Yes. Scientifically, Sagrantino has more than double the polyphenols of a Cabernet, making it the red wine with the most body and structure in the world.
Should I drink it now or wait?
The 2016 Lorenzo Mattoni is already in a spectacular drinking window, but if you have patience, this wine will continue to gain complexity for many years to come.
What type of glass does it need?
It requires a large-bowl "Bordeaux Magnum" type glass so that the large surface area in contact with the air helps release its immense aromatic load.