WTN: To Bea or not to Bea

[David M. Bueker]

2009 Paolo Bea San Valentino Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT (3/5/2016)
There is one word that describes this wine: presence. The juicy/sappy nature of the fruit is counterbalanced by acidity, and there is a notable earthy finish, like a taste of freshly roasted beets. I am actually astonished by the alcohol level of the wine (15%) because it does not show at all, and because Bea is regarded as a very wine geek friendly producer. Go figure.

To Bea or not to Bea...I think you know the answer.

[David M. Bueker]

Of course I do. Bea!

I've never had a Bea wine in spite of favourable opinions of people I trust. I hoped to remedy that during two trips through Umbria but was put off from visiting his estate on learning that he charges for it; happily still a rare though growing practice in Europe. I thought that I would be able to buy a bottle or two at the well stocked enoteca in the main square at Montelfalco but my request was met by a torrent of abuse about Bea's wines from the shop's owner from which I managed to decode "too expensive", "rubbish" and "vinegar".