A wine with ample, solid structure and very intense ruby red with garnet reflections. The aroma releases notes of cassis and bilberry and persistent plum jam, elegant, light oak with a background of cinnamon, cocoa and balsamic notes. The initial flavour is definitely concentrated, dense and fleshy with mature tannins that envelop the mouth with a long-lasting finish.
Type of wine: red wine with ample structure for long aging
Grape varietals: equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Double spurred cordon; 4000-5000 vines/hectare; yield 5-6 tonnes/ha
Soil type: the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard has pebbles with a medium mix and tends towards limestone on a tufa subsoil; the Sangiovese is from the same plot as Rubesco Riserva, the Monticchio Vineyard: clay layers alternating with sandy fringes in the lower part of the hillside
Vinification: fermentation in stainless steel with 25-28 days of maceration on skins. Barrique aging for 12 months, followed by at least 1 year in bottle
Colour: deep ruby red with violet nuances
Bouquet: intense, complex and ample, it reveals hints of red fruit and sweet spices.Flavour: powerful structure with a hint of red fruit; great concentration and harmony, juicy with dense, warm tannins; very long and pleasantly fresh finish
Alcohol by volume: 14%
Consumption: if properly stored, it has long aging potential. Serve at 16-18° C (61-64°F) in a large stem glass.
Food affinities: pappardelle pasta with wild boar sauce, salmì of hare, roasted meat on skewers, aged cheeses
Focus: created in 1977 and one of the first great blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, a true “Superumbrian” in which the Cabernet does not cover the Sangiovese but enhances its personality
Label: Saint George and the Dragon, from the famous painting by Raffaello displayed in the Gallerie degli Uffizi (with the permission of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities), a homage to the traditional feast of Saint George when propitiatory bonfires are still lit in the Torgiano vineyards with cuttings from the winter vine pruning
Anecdotes
It bears the signature of Giorgio Lungarotti because with his continuous desire to experiment, he wanted to try this blend, unusual for its time, creating the first “Superumbrian” in 1977. On the label, Saint George and the dragon, detail from the famous painting by Raffaello on display in the Louvre, in tribute to the traditional feast day of Saint George on April 23rd when the custom still alive today is to light propitiatory bonfires in the vineyards around Torgiano.