Falesco Marciliano 2012

Falesco Marciliano 2012 is a full-bodied Umbria IGT red wine (750ml, 15% ABV) blending 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Cabernet Franc. This flagship bottling from the Cotarella brothers' estate earned the prestigious 5 Grappoli distinction from the Bibenda 2016 guide, placing it among Umbria's most celebrated wines.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Umbria, Italy  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Winery: Falesco (Riccardo & Renzo Cotarella)

Production & Heritage

Falesco was founded by brothers Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella, with Riccardo widely recognized as one of Italy's most influential consulting enologists. The Marciliano estate spans 260 hectares on a hillside south of Orvieto in the municipality of Montecchio, Umbria. Marciliano represents the estate's flagship expression, sourced exclusively from the best Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the property and aged in French barriques. The 2012 vintage showcases the warm, concentrated character of a ripe central Italian growing season.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense layers of blackberry and dried dark fruit emerge first, followed by cured meat, dried sage, and leather. A deeper inhale reveals tobacco leaf, cedar, and dark chocolate, suggesting extended bottle development.

Taste: The entry is rich and full, with concentrated blackberry and red fruit flavors coating the palate. Mid-palate, oak spice and dark chocolate integrate seamlessly with the fruit, while the wine's 15% ABV provides substantial weight. Velvety tannins build toward a firm, chewy structure that signals continued aging potential.

Finish: Long and flavorful, with lingering notes of cedar, dried fruit, and baking spice. The tannins persist with a smooth, resolved texture that rewards patient sipping.

How to Drink Marciliano 2012

Decant for at least an hour before serving at 16–18°C (61–64°F) to allow the complex aromatics to fully open. A wide-bowled Bordeaux glass helps aerate the wine and concentrates its layered bouquet. Given its substantial tannin backbone and 15% ABV, Marciliano 2012 is best suited to food-friendly settings: pour alongside a grilled bistecca alla fiorentina to showcase its structure, serve with a slow-braised wild boar ragù to match its savory depth, or pair with an aged Pecorino cheese course to echo its earthy complexity.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast exploring beyond Tuscany
• Anchoring a special dinner featuring grilled or braised red meats
• Building a curated cellar of Bordeaux-blend Italian reds
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Marciliano 2012 taste like? Dense and full-bodied, it delivers concentrated blackberry, dark chocolate, cedar, and leather flavors, framed by velvety yet firm tannins and a long, spice-driven finish.

How does Marciliano 2012 compare to Super Tuscan Bordeaux blends? Like many Super Tuscans, Marciliano uses a Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend aged in French barriques, but it originates from Umbria's hillsides south of Orvieto rather than Tuscany, offering a distinct terroir expression. Its 15% ABV and chewy tannin structure place it alongside full-bodied Super Tuscans, though it tends toward a darker, more savory profile with pronounced leather and cured meat notes.

Is Marciliano 2012 good for cellaring? Yes — the firm, age-worthy tannins beneath its ripe fruit and concentrated structure suggest it can continue developing for several more years under proper storage conditions.

Where is Marciliano 2012 made? Marciliano is produced at the Falesco estate in the municipality of Montecchio, situated on a 260-hectare hillside property south of Orvieto in Umbria, Italy.

What foods pair well with Marciliano 2012? Grilled bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannin structure; braised short ribs or osso buco complement its dark fruit and savory depth; aged Pecorino cheese echoes its earthy complexity; wild boar ragù matches its intensity and spice; and dark chocolate desserts mirror its cocoa undertones.

What sizes does Marciliano 2012 come in? Marciliano 2012 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Marciliano 2012 worth the price? Marciliano positions as Falesco's flagship expression, and the 5 Grappoli distinction from Bibenda 2016 places it among Italy's top-tier wines in its category — it represents a premium bottling delivering complexity and aging potential commensurate with its standing.

Why Marciliano 2012?

The 5 Grappoli designation from Bibenda 2016 — one of Italy's most respected wine guides — confirms Marciliano 2012 as an exceptional vintage from a landmark Umbrian estate. Produced by the Cotarella brothers, whose influence on modern Italian winemaking is well documented, the wine draws from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard across a sprawling 260-hectare hillside south of Orvieto. The 70/30 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, shaped by French barrique aging, yields a wine that balances ripe concentration with structured, age-worthy tannins. Ranked among the most highly rated Umbria IGT wines, the 2012 stands as compelling evidence that world-class Bordeaux-style reds thrive well beyond Tuscany's borders.