A delicious little dessert red, the 2008 Montefalco Sagrantino Passito shows great energy and verve with huge fruit tones of cherry liqueur and blackberry syrup. Sweet, thick glycerin moves slowly over the palate and softens the tannic blow. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Importer: Vias Import; www.viaswine.com

It’s hard to imagine naturally tannic Sagrantino as a dessert wine but indeed this native Umbrian red grape was traditionally made in a sweet style to soften its firm astringency. Deeply red and richly concentrated, it shows chocolate, savory spice and blackberry. Drying tannins keep the palate clean.——M.L.(12/15/2011)—— 88

The 2005 Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito presents aromas of cured meats, game, leather, spices and stewed fruits. The combination of oxidative aromas and flavors along with the sweetness from the dried fruit presents an intriguing contrast that is hard to appreciate at the outset, yet the wine offers good balance. This dessert wine is best enjoyed alongside firm, aged cheeses or on its own. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2013. Colpetrone is part of the Saiagricola group of wineries that includes La Poderina in Montalcino and Fattoria del Cerro in Montepulciano, both leading properties in their respective regions. The wines of Colpetrone are equally outstanding. Oenologist Lorenzo Landi interprets Sagrantino in a rich, full-bodied style. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200