Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the most interesting new releases from Lungarotti is the 2018 Torgiano Rosso Riserva Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, an elegant expression of Sangiovese that shows extremely fine tannins. They are melting and soft. Aging takes place in oak barrels of various ages and degrees of neutrality, but starting with the 2019 vintage, 80% of the wine will age in large oak botte, with the rest going into second and third-year barrique. The wine is complete and texturally silky with dark cherry, earth, spice and grilled earth.
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James Suckling
Bright and fresh five years on with aromas of red and sour cherries, currants, some vanilla and mint chocolate. Structured and nicely compact with a full body and firm, integrated tannins. Excellent balance. Sangiovese.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.