This estate was founded by Giorgio Lungarotti in the early 1960’s in Torgiano, still the location of most of the estate’s 250 hectares of vineyards and the source of fruit for the estate’s signature red wine, Rubesco. In the year 2000, Lungarotti expanded its operations to Montefalco, planting 20 ha of vines (organically cultivated since 2010 and certified in 2014) and building a new winery. Today, the estate is led by Giorgio’s daughters Chiara and Teresa. Vincenzo Pepe, a graduate of the Scuola Enologica Alba and the Facolta Agraria Perugia, has been enologist since 2001, and Lorenzo Landi is the company’s consulting enologist. Lungarotti’s first vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino was 2003. Tasted last year, the Montefalco wines were served at the Lungarotti estate in Montefalco with CEO Chiara Lungarotti, and the Torgiano wines were tasted at the winery in Torgiano with Vincenzo Pepe.
Winemaker Vincenzo Pepe
In addition to the wines reviewed below, Vincenzo Pepe led us through a 45-year vertical of Rubesco to demonstrate how it evolves over time. The current 2019 vintage was obviously young and firm and in need of some cellar time, but what was surprising was the 40-year-old 1979 vintage. From a cooler vintage, it showed the passage of time in its brick red color, evolved flavors of dried cherry and balsamic, and accommodating tannins, but it was still balanced and absolutely delicious.
US Importer: USA Wine West
Montefalco Wines
Lungarotti 2018 Rosso Montefalco DOC 91 Fresh red plum and berries with wood spice on the nose. Smooth on entry with earthy accents on a very freshly flavored, red fruited palate. Firm tannins on the finish. A nicely balanced blend of 55% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, and 15% Sagrantino matured 12 months in barriques and 30 hl botti and 10+ months in bottle before release. 15% alc.
Lungarotti 2018 Sagrantino Montefalco DOC ($59) 93 Dark red. Deep aromas of dark clerry, earth, and leather are followed by a soft attack. In the mouth, it’s dense and full with lovely deep, spicy dark red fruit flavors. As expected, the tannins are firm but not aggressive. Excellent tanning management resulting in a youthful Sagrantino that’s drinkable now. A very long finish with hints of dark chocolate on this beautiful, very flavorful wine. 100% Sagrantino fermented in stainless steel and matured in barriques and 20 hl casks for 12 months and aged in bottle for 18+ months before release. 15% alc.
Torgiano & Umbria Wines
Lungarotti 2021 Il Pometo Grechetto Umbria IGT 89 Light yellow straw. Creamy pear with citrus and floral nuances on the nose. Straightforward in character, fresh, clean and mineral like with good acidity. Hint of almond bitterness on the finish. 13% alc. Sourced from the Fattoria del Pometo in Torgiano. After a brief cold maceration, gently pressed and free run juice fermented in stainless steel. 13% alc. 30k bottles produced.
Lungarotti 2021 Il Pometo Trespo Umbria IGT 90 Light green-flecked yellow straw color. This fresh, crisp white wine reveals citrus on the nose. It’s crisp on the attack with bright acidity, showing citrus and green apple on a suave palate and chalky mineral notes on the finish. Made of Trebbiano Spoletino from Torgiano. 13% alc.
Lungarotti 2020 Ilbio Rosso Umbria IGT ($20) 90 Medium dark red. The nose offers scents of plum and fresh and dried cherries. Soft on the attack, it’s and easy drinking, flavorful wine with medium concentration of upfront fruit and fine firm tannins on the finish. Compared to the Montefalco Rosso, this Umbria IGT Rosso sees a shorter maceration at lower temperatures. Matured 10 months in botti.
Lungarotti 2017 Rubesco Rosso Riserva Vigna Monticchio Torgiano ($65) 93 The 2017 Rubesco offers plum, dark berry fruit, herbs and spice on the nose and palate. Good acidity lends freshness to the wine, and firm tannins argue for some bottle aging but drinkable now with the right cuisine. A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino sourced from the 300m high Monticchio vineyard and matured in French barriques.
Lungarotti 2010 Vin Santo Torgiano 93 Starbright amber color. An alluring passito style wine that evokes dulce de leche, honeyed apricots, and Scottish orange marmalade. An elegant sweet wine with excellent balancing acidity leaving a refreshing finish. A blend of Trebbiano and Grechetto harvested in late September, direct pressed with a yield of 25%, slowly fermented and aged 90 months in small oak barrels (10% new).
