At a glance

Producer

Paolo Bea

Region

Umbria, Italy

Grape variety

Sagrantino

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$40-$60

Tasting profile

Dense blackberry, blueberry, leather, earth, and licorice notes with firm tannins and mineral backbone

Evolution: Over time, will develop greater complexity with tertiary notes of forest floor, truffle, dried herbs, and softened tannins

At peak: Rich, elegant, harmoniously balanced with layered dark fruit, spice, and polished tannins

Structure

Acidity

High, lively

Tannins

Firm, robust, dense

Alcohol

14-15%

Aging potential

20+ years suitable for major cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2043

Optimal window

2023 to 2046

Current status

Approaching early drinking maturity but benefiting from further aging

Current condition

Powerful tannic structure still developing, high acidity maintaining freshness

Sagrantino grapes produce robust, tannic wines with significant aging potential. Paolo Bea is a renowned biodynamic producer crafting complex, age-worthy wines. The 2018 vintage in Umbria was excellent, with balanced acidity and ripe tannins, enabling the wine to evolve beautifully over two decades.

Food pairing

Pairs well with rich game meats, aged cheeses, roasted lamb, truffle dishes, and hearty stews.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and open aromatic complexity before serving

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Paolo Bea employs biodynamic farming, minimal intervention winemaking, natural yeast fermentations, manual harvesting, and avoids synthetic chemicals. Packaging uses recycled materials with lightweight bottles.

The producer's biodynamic certification and organic viticulture practices create a low-impact environmental footprint. Their commitment to natural farming, energy efficiency in the winery, and sustainable packaging earns a high sustainability score. While international shipping contributes to carbon footprint, their overall practices demonstrate strong environmental stewardship.