This estate, sparked by the inspired winemaking of Lorenzo Landi, is the most serious competitor to Arnaldo Caprai in the Montefalco Sagrantino appellation and, unlike Caprai, the 2001 Montefalco Sagrantino is notably better than the 2000. Rich and brilliant ruby in color, the wine boasts the classically powerful nose of raspberries, red currants, and plums, enriched by sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, and incense. The dense, muscular, and concentrated palate is the trademark of this wine, warm, broad, and mouth-filling from the attack to the finish. There’s only a short track record here, but I would be very surprised if the wine did not last 20 years. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

Smoke, leather, gingerbread and cake aromas and flavors are found in this wine from enologist Lorenzo Landi who oversees winemaking at all Saiagricola properties. Intense, drying tannins make the wine difficult to pair with most foods now, but just wait a few years. Imported by Vias Imports. ——M.L.(9/1/2005)—— 89