Tabarrini Sagrantino di Montefalco Colle Grimaldesco 2016

Wild herbs, hints of animal musk and crushed ashen stone give way to a core of citrus-tinged blackberry as the 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino Colle Grimaldesco slowly comes to life in the glass. The textures are elegant and silky, yet quickly firm up as notes of tart cherry, black tea and savory herbs join with brisk acidity, forming tension toward the close. Fine tannins dominate through the long, chiseled finale, complicated by sour wild berries and a hint of spicy citrus. While a bit painful today, all the 2016 needs is time to soften and unwind, at which point it will be a stunner.