2021 Decugnano dei Barbi 'Mare Antico' Orvieto Classico Superiore Umbria

About the Wine

The history in Umbria is a proud one that stretches back to the Etruscans. The Antinori family came to Umbria in the 1950s to produce high-quality white wines. They already had Tuscan Sangiovese estates, but Umbria, and in particular, the area around Orvieto, had been known since the Roman era as the best place to make outstanding white wines. The vines are so old, the local varietal is referred to as "Grecchetto", or the little grape that the Greeks brought to Enotria. 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Umbria, just outside the medieval town of Orvieto, the Decugnano estate has a rich winemaking history dating back to 1212. Yes, that's over 800 years of grape-growing tradition, with monks tending to the vines in the early days! Fast-forward to the 1970s, when Claudio Barbi, a visionary winemaker, took over the estate and turned it into a landmark of Italian winemaking.

Decugnano dei Barbi is more than just a winery; it’s a living story of tradition, passion, and perseverance. With 63 hectares of land, 33 of which are under vine, Decugnano’s vineyards are planted in soils rich with ancient oyster fossils. This gives the wines a minerality that’s both refreshing and complex.

This wine is perfect for seafood, light pasta dishes, or even just a sunny afternoon on the patio. It’s versatile enough to enjoy on its own or with your favorite Italian delicacies.

The story of Decugnano is one of perseverance. When Claudio Barbi discovered the abandoned estate in 1973, it was more or less a forgotten treasure. But he saw its potential, and with a lot of hard work and vision, he turned it into the world-class winery it is today. And now, every bottle produced is a tribute to that legacy—a true reflection of the land and its rich history.

Tasting Notes

55% Grechetto, 20% Vermentino, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 5 % Procanico. On the nose, you’ll be greeted by vibrant citrus fruits, delicate floral notes, and a hint of the Mediterranean breeze. The palate is where this wine truly shines—crisp, mineral, and fresh with a zesty edge that makes each sip feel like a breeze through the vineyards of Umbria. It’s a wine that captures the essence of the land, with a characteristic minerality that’s the hallmark of Decugnano dei Barbi’s unique terroir.

Critical Reviews

~94 Luca Maroni

Engaging sliced apple with acacia, followed by lifted seashells and a touch of turnip. Textured and round-bodied with vivid acidity. A wine with beautiful minerality and freshness. Drink or hold. ~93 James Suckling

Wickedly fresh and wafting up like a cool breeze off an alpine peak, the 2021 Orvieto Classico Superiore Mare Antico mixes crushed rock with raw almonds, hints of sage and ginger. This opens with a lovely inner sweetness contrasted by candied lime and salty minerals. It flows across the palate with ease, long and citrus-tinged. It tapers off structured and crisp, with a green apple crunch and residual acids keeping the mouth watering for more. The complexity here is off the charts, coupled with fantastic balance. The Mare Antico is beautiful today, but with a bright future as well. ~ 93 Vinous Media

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