Malcompare 2019 Umbria IGT - Arnaldo Caprai

Malcompare 2019 – Arnaldo Caprai

Arnaldo Caprai is the name that, more than any other, brought Montefalco Sagrantino onto the international stage. With Malcompare the Umbrian estate takes on a grape far from local tradition and notoriously hard to tame, Pinot Noir, offering a personal interpretation from the hills of central Italy.

The grapes come from hillside vineyards at around 350 metres, where the swing between day and night temperatures helps preserve freshness and aroma. The wine ages at length in French oak barriques and then in bottle before release: an ambitious approach, closer to structured Pinot Noirs than to light, easy-going ones.

The 2019 shows ripe red fruit, cherry, undergrowth and sweet spice, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. A Pinot Noir off the beaten track, fascinating to compare with those from Alto Adige and Oltrepò. With duck, roast white meats, mushroom dishes or a salmon steak.

At a glance: Pinot Noir 100% · 13.5% ABV · 0.75 l · Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco (Umbria)