Tenuta Alzatura, Sagrantino di Montefalco (Umbria, Italy) 2008

Combine the owner of Tenuta Alzatura, the Cecchi family, one of Tuscany’s most reliable producers, with a superb vintage, 2008, and you’d expect an outstanding wine just from the label.  What’s in the bottle confirms your prediction.  Mind you, this wine, as good as it is, is not for the faint of heart.  As expected from the Sagrantino grape, it’s robust, dense and concentrated with evident tannins.  Yet, underneath all that power there is a certain refinement especially in the finish.  Big, yet balanced — the hallmark of Cecchi’s wines — this would be a good choice for a garlic and herb infused roasted leg of lamb now.  Otherwise find a place in the cellar for it and enjoy it in another five years.