Paolo Bea

VISIT THIS PRODUCER'S WEBSITE
LOCATE ON GOOGLE MAPS
VISIT IMPORTER'S WEBSITE
Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Montefalco, Umbria
People: Bea Family, Owners | Giampiero Bea, Winemaker | Giuseppe Bea, Viticulturalist
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic

Items

Paolo Bea 2018 'San Valentino' Umbria Rosso IGP Login AG 93 In Stock
Paolo Bea 2018 Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Pipparello, DOC Login AG 93 <1 Case
Paolo Bea 2017 'Rosso de Veo' Umbria Rosso IGT Login AG 92 In Stock
Paolo Bea (3 L) 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Secco, Pagliaro Vineyard, DOCG Login In Stock
Paolo Bea 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Secco, Pagliaro Vineyard, DOCG Login AG 95 In Stock
Paolo Bea (375 ml) 2010 Montefalco Sagrantino Passito DOCG Login In Stock
Paolo Bea 2015 'Arboreus' Trebbiano, Umbria Bianco IGT Login AG 93 WA 93 In Stock

References in the archives of Montefalco, the beautiful hill town in Umbria, document the presence of the Bea family in this locality as early as 1500. This tiny estate is the classic Italian fattoria, producing wine, raising farm animals for trade and home consumption and working the land to produce olives, fruits and vegetables. To this day, the Bea family raises and produces much of what they consume on a daily basis. Paolo Bea, the senior member of the family, is the guiding force behind the production of this series of intense and idiosyncratic wines. He is assisted by his two sons, Giuseppe, who farms the vineyards, and Giampiero, who assists in the vinification and is responsible for all commercial aspects of the winery.

The entire property encompasses 15 hectares: 5 of which are dedicated to the vineyards, 2 to olives, and the remainder to the fruits, vegetables and grains that are grown. Sagrantino is the predominant grape, covering 60% of the vineyard surface. The remaining 40% is planted to Sangiovese and Montepulciano, with a small parcel planted to several white varieties. The vineyards are cultivated organically, all grapes are harvested manually and all wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

From Paolo Bea:
“As a child, I learned this craft from my father. Our history and tradition is the source of our knowledge and inspiration. Today, my family is here with me, all working together. Our roots in Montefalco trace back to the 1500's, as documents in the village archives attest to. Through passion sustained and encouraged by my sons, Giuseppe and Giampiero, and also by the irreplaceable presence of Marina, my wife and mother of my children, our family has come to appreciate each other in more profound ways, each day relishing the fruits of our labor at our table. With each passing year, I better understand our land, respecting and caring for it... and at the end of each year extract from it a wine which is totally unique, continually developing, improving, and sustaining our health. With an ever growing conviction, we practice, discover, and appreciate natural winemaking methods that exclude the use of chemicals in the vineyard and artificial stabilizing techniques in the winery. Each season is a new discovery, a chance to apply and evaluate knowledge we have gained in previous years. ”

Media Links
Sprudge: Giampiero Bea of Paolo Bea: The Sprudge Wine Interview
Wine Advocate: Italy, Umbria: Paolo Bea
Grape Collective: Paolo Bea's Extreme-Artisanal Wines
Occasional Thoughts: 2008 Arboreus - Grapes DO grow on Trees

Reviews

  • Paolo Bea 2015 'Arboreus' Trebbiano, Umbria Bianco IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (11/29/2022)

    The 2015 Bianco Arboreus bursts from the glass with a rich and nearly tropical mix of green melon, papaya and sweet mint. It coasts along the palate with glycerol-like textures that are perfectly balanced by saline-mineral tones, as ripe orchard fruits and sweet spices cascade across its juicy acid core. It finishes a bit shorter than anticipated, yet leaves a lasting impression, as the cheeks pucker with tension, and a lemony concentration slowly tapers off. The 2015 Arboreus is the product of a warm vintage, which you feel in its sapidity. It spent 22 days macerating on the skins.
  • Paolo Bea 2017 'Rosso de Veo' Umbria Rosso IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (11/29/2022)

    The 2017 Rosso de Veo is impossibly fresh, with a wild aromatic mix of spiced citrus, roses, cloves, hints of cocoa and, finally, medicinal black cherries. It's silky-smooth and juicy to the core, with an abundance of energy and vibrant ripe red fruits that wash across the palate with ease. The 2017 finishes only lightly structured and lively, as the mouth waters under an air of red inner florals, and an underpinning of chalky minerals slowly fades. This may be a more immediate expression of Rosso de Veo, but it's one that I hope to be able to try over and over again. It pays to mention that the 2017 clocks in at just 13% abv, an amazing feat for Sagrantino.
  • Paolo Bea 2018 'San Valentino' Umbria Rosso IGP
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (10/5/2023)

    Darkly floral and earthy upon opening, the 2018 Rosso San Valentino slowly evolves with hints of crushed ashen stone and dusty dried flowers giving way to crushed black raspberries. The palate dials the energy up high, sleek and racy with vibrant red berry fruits accentuated by rosy inner florals and touches of citrus. It finishes with tremendous length, a licorice tinge, and a coating of fine tannins, framing the experience remarkably well. This is a Rosso San Valentino that will excel upon release but also through medium-term cellaring.

  • Paolo Bea 2018 Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Pipparello, DOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (10/5/2023)

    The 2018 Montefalco Rosso Riserva Pipparello wows the senses with a burst of medicinal cherries, dusty sage and exotic spice. This is lifted and full of energy with a sweet and sour twang of citrus and sour cherries excited by zesty acidity. The 2018 tapers off with a gentle tug of fine-grained tannins and lingering concentration, leaving the palate clenched with youthful poise yet still aching for another sip. The 2018 may not be as long lived as bigger vintages, but its a total charmer. This went through 51 days of maceration without temperature control and was refined for 34 months in large barrels.

  • Paolo Bea 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Secco, Pagliaro Vineyard, DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 95 (10/5/2023)

    The 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Pagliaro is coy in the glass, slowly awakening with a mentholated blend of crushed blackberries, sage and flowery underbrush. It flows across the palate with ease, silky and round with bright red and black fruits underscored by salty mineral tones and exotic spice. This leaves a balsamic flourish through the finale, along with crunchy tannins that create a push and pull of youthful tension as hints of dried cherries slowly taper off. While stepping lightly, the 2018 is nearly sultry in style, tempting the imagination with what further maturity will bring.

  • Paolo Bea 2015 'Arboreus' Trebbiano, Umbria Bianco IGT
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (5/4/2023)

    Made with Trebbiano Spoletino, the Paolo Bea 2015 Arboreus sees 22 days of skin maceration and 95 days on the fine lees. Structure is underlined in this vintage that saw very sunny and warm conditions throughout the growing season. There is tannic bite to the wine, but the tannins feel firmly polished instead of feeling dusty, like you sometimes get with skin-macerated whites. To the palate, this full-bodied white is generously textured and creamy with honey, saffron and apricot. The Arboreus vineyard is located eight kilometers from the winery.