2015 Castello di Montegiove Gatto Gatto Orvietano Rosso DOC

About the Wine

Castello di Montegiove is one of the oldest castles in Umbria and all of Italy. It sits atop a hill that overlooks the borders of Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio with sweeping views toward Perugia and Orvieto. Founded in the 13th century, this castle has been operating as a family farm since its inception, and in 1780 it became the property of the Marquises Misciattelli family.

Owner and winemaker Lorenzo Misciattelli is a hands-on passionate winemaker who oversees every aspect from the vineyard to the cellar. Lorenzo grew up in Denmark but was raised with extreme love and a sense of belonging to his motherland. In 2002, he decided to move back to Montegiove with his wife Rikke and develop the family’s property. Today, he has managed to position it among the most awarded estates in all of Italy.

Winemaking in the town of Montegiove is not new; the first records of wine in this place, date back more than 700 years. Castello di Montegiove’s vinification area, barrel, and bottling cellar were built prior to the 15th century.

Guided by a philosophy that combines modern winemaking with tradition and culture, Lorenzo and his team thrive to create these wines of bottled history, with maximum quality, and meticulous attention to every detail.

The winery is made up of about 3000 acres, where vines, oak forests, and olive trees bloom in perfect terroir conditions. The 5-acre vineyard is planted with native grapes like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Sagrantino, Canaiolo, Barbera, and other international ones like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a paradise where free range cattle craze amidst a wide array of flora and fauna.

Although the vineyards are located in the Orvieto appellation, -known since the Roman era as the best place to make outstanding white wines- they share more similarities to Siena, its Tuscan neighbor, with soils that are much richer in clay and limestone, the perfect terroir for red wines of superb structure and complexity.

The classification Orvietano Rosso DOC is merely due to an administrative location as Montegiove is geologically situated on the “Tuscan nappe.” This translates into amazing quality “Tuscan-esque” wines with a price tag that’s not very Tuscany. Amazing value here, and BHW is the exclusive importer of these exquisite wines.

Gatto Gatto is inspired by the medieval battle cry of the warlord Gattamelata, who took possession of the Castle of Montegiove during the late XV century. He was one of the most popular Umbrian warlords and was even asked to fight to defend Venice, due to his military abilities. Gatto Gatto represents courage, passion, and hard work.

Aging: 9 months in Slavonian oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

66% Sangiovese, 34% Canaiolo Nero. Fresh and fruity character, it has a brilliant ruby ​​red color with a slight purplish hue, it is intensely perfumed, complex, and enticing. We loved this wine from the very first sip and so will you. Pair this wine with appetizers, cheeses, cold cuts, and poultry or any food with tomatoes.

Critic Reviews

~90 Luca Maroni, I Migliori Vini Italiani, Italy's Best Wines Guide 2022

~90 Doctor Wine 

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