RUBESCO RISERVA Vigna Monticchio Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG

Type of wine: Red with great structure and elegance, suitable for long aging.

Grape varietals: Pure Sangiovese, harvested in the last decade of September.

Pruning: Double spurred cordon.

Planting density: 4,000–5,000 vines/hectare (1,620–2,020/acre).

Yield: 4 tonnes/ha (1.62 tonnes/acre).

Vineyard: “Monticchio” vineyard, situated on the Brufa hillside at 300 metres (985 feet) above sea level, with a Western–Southwestern exposure. It covers 15 hectares (37 acres), of which only 10 hectares (25 acres) are used to produce Rubesco Riserva “Vigna Monticchio” 2018.

Soil type: Of lacustrine origin with significant soil variety. Layers of clay alternate with sandy layers, more frequent in the lower part of the vineyard.

Vinification: Fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperature (26°C/79°F), with 25–28 days of maceration on the skins. Aged in fine-grained oak barriques and 50/55 hl (1,320 gallons) barrels for about 12 months, followed by 3 years of bottle aging.

Colour: Intense and lively ruby red.

Bouquet: Intense notes of sour cherries, small red fruits, liquorice, and a refined mineral background.

Flavour: Powerful and concentrated from the first sip, with a clear hint of red jam. Finishes with particularly persistent tannins.

Alcohol by volume: 14.00%.

Consumption: Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F). Given the long bottle aging, decanting is recommended to fully appreciate its roundness and elegance. If stored properly, the wine can age for more than 50 years.

Food affinities: Ideal with refined international dishes such as fillet with pepper and Japanese mustard, squab with black truffles, wasabi-roasted beef, Peking duck, guinea hen “alla ghiotta”, roast beef, and aged cheeses.

Focus: A special selection of Rubesco from the Monticchio vineyard, produced since the first vintage in 1964. This is Lungarotti’s flagship wine and is considered one of Italy’s finest reds. It embodies Umbria’s rolling hills and its people, with a unique balance between strength and elegance. Produced only in the best vintages.

Anecdotes: Rubesco is a Lungarotti trademark derived from the Latin rubescere, meaning “to blush (with joy).”

Label: Bas-relief depicting the harvest, a detail from the Fontana Maggiore - one of Italy’s most beautiful Medieval fountains.

Format: 750 ml; 1.5 litres; 3 litres.

Bottles produced: 30,000.