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Mission Codename: Mambo Italiano

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Acquire a exceptional Italian wine that is also an exceptional value.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Moretti Omero

Wine Subject: 2005 Montefalco Rosso DOC

Winemaker: Moretti Omero

Backgrounder:

The Montefalco Rosso DOC occupies the same approximate geographic area as the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, the DOC allows for Super Tuscan style blends that can included several of the indigenous grapes of this Umbrian (West Central Italy) enclave. Today’s selection, from micro-producer Moretti Omero is 50% Sangiovese, 30% Sagrantino and 20% Merlot.

Moretti Omero, a small family run farm with a history that dates back to WWI also makes a Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and a Montefalco Sagrantino Passito DOCG – both of which will be featured int he near future.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark ruby – garnet in color with a dark almost black core that is slightly inky in clarity. Ruby Garnet hued edges with slow thin legs ring the glass when swirled.

Smell – Medium in intensity with aromas of dusty raspberry and both tart and ripe black cherry. Earthy notes and bramble brush with hints of floral violets, spice, tea and a touch of black licorice round out the complex and distinctly Italian nose.

Feel – The attack on this wine is initially tangy that smooths as it opens up. Bright in acid, this medium to full-bodied wine has good structure with medium firm tannins.

Taste – With flavors similar to its nose and supported by its texture, this wine shows its classic Italian heritage with well integrated cherry and blueberry backed with spice, zesty Sangioveseque orange peel, notes of plum, mild spice and a touch of oak.

Finish – Medium in length and clean with a lingering tanginess of of its fruit supported by its zest and spice.

Conclusion – The 2005 Moretti Omero Montefalco Rosso will instantly appeal to fans of more traditional Super Tuscans and the addition of the Sagrantino grape adds an entirely new dimension to this wine’s complexity. While this isn’t its older brother the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, its also half the price making this delicious wine perfect for every day drinking as well as every day special occasions.

Mission Report:

Below is a recap of our first encounter with the great wines from micro-producer Moretti Omero. Since then, The Wine Spies are huge fans of their exceptional Umbrian wines.

It all began at wine tasting earlier this year, when Agent Baco Noir was raving about the rare wines from Montefalco Sagrantino. It was decided at that point that The Wine Spies would have to search and return with one of these elusive ‘festival wines’ for our stateside operatives.

As I stepped off the train in Foligno, Agent Baco Noir was standing on the platform with a mischievous smile on her face. Not saying a word, we quickly passed through the station to a pair of Vespas she had procured for our upcoming mission. No directions, no dossier, just a map scribbled on the back of a cafe napkin.

Driving south-westbound out of the town we were immediately in the rural countryside. Farms, ranches and vineyards as far as the eye could see. We pulled up next to pig ranch where Baco Noir stepped off her scooter.

“We’re on foot from here”, is all she said, fixing her hair, adjusting her sunglasses and mumbling to herself about getting her designer high-heeled shoes dirty. I followed, not saying a word (I have learned to keep my mouth shut with regard to women and Italian shoes). Walking through the ranch we could see a farm house in the distance.

Approaching the farm house, we could see vineyards and olive groves surrounding the farm house. Just then, a man, clearly worn by working the land beaconed us into a small tasting room where he quickly disappeared into a back alcove. Emerging again almost immediately with a case of wine in hand he discretely gave them to Baco Noir, who still wearing her sunglasses, turned around and walked out the door. As soon as we stepped outside, she gave me the wine to carry back to the scooters.

Just as quickly as we got the wine, I found myself back at the train station, samples in hand. Baco Noir didn’t even get off her scooter, only saying “see you in the Piedmont in two weeks, give my regards to HQ, Ciao!” as she placed a parcel on top of the wine case I was carrying.

Not being able to wait to return to HQ for our tasting, I opened one of the bottles of the 2002 Moretti Omero Montefalco Sagrantino on the train back to Rome. I now now why this is such an exceptional wine. As I sipped the first glass, I opened the parcel, and inside to my surprise was a note, some Pecorino Toscana cheese, a Abruzzese sausage and some fresh fruit.

It might as well be a perfect day, I though, as I began to read Baco Noir’s note… (details redacted)

To this day, each time I taste this wine I am immediately transported back to that magical place.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location the Moretti Omero farm in Giano dell’Umbria can be seen in this satellite photo.