​San Giorgio Lungarotti

We reviewed the latest vintage on the market, the 2018 vintage. Here are our impressions on the San Giorgio Umbria IGT Rosso Lungarotti 2018 awarded by James Suckling with 93 points.

Buy this wine: San Giorgio Lungarotti for sale online on Wineshop.it

Lungarotti is the symbolic name of Umbria's oenological excellence, the reference winery for the production of the best Umbrian wines. Its founder Giorgio Lungarotti is considered the forefather of the oenology of this Region and one of the fathers of modern Italian oenology. He was responsible for the creation of iconic labels, which have represented a model for several generations of producers, promoting the success of Italian wines in the world.

Giorgio Lungarotti founded the Lungarotti winery in 1962, bringing together the various plots of the family farm, active since the 18th century and engaged in various agricultural activities, including viticulture. Giorgio specializes the family business in the production of wine, giving rise to a story of absolute success, set in Torgiano, a very suitable municipality in Perugia.

In 1962, Giorgio put on the market the first iconic wine of his production, Rubesco from Sangiovese and Colorino grapes, the highest representative of the D.O.C. Torgiano, established in 1968, thanks, above all, to the success of the Lungarotti label, and the first Umbrian appellation in chronological order. In 1964 the Riserva version of Rubesco was also produced, from which the D.O.C.G. Torgiano Riserva was born in 1990, first D.O.C.G. of Umbria, of which Rubesco Vigna Monticchio Lungarotti is still the greatest exponent. In short, as you have understod, we are talking about a decisive character for our oenology, a true lord of Italian wine.

In 1977, animated by the desire to experiment with new blends, Giorgio Lungarotti created the first SuperUmbrian in the winemaking history of this Region: the San Giorgio. It is the union of grapes from the typical Torgiano vine, Sangiovese, grown in the vineyard called Monticchio, that of Rubesco Riserva, and those of a classic international vine, Cabernet Sauvignon, introduced into Umbria by Giorgio Lungarotti during the sixties of the twentieth century.

The wine is dedicated to Saint George, to whom an ancient tradition of Torgiano is linked: on 23 April, Saint George is celebrated with a series of propitiatory fires lit with the remains of vine pruning. This is an auspicious ritual for the harvest. Furthermore, on the front of the label Saint George and the dragon are reproduced, from a painting by Raffaello Sanzio. Also on the front of the label we find the signature of Giorgio Lungarotti, the creator of this wine.

The production of San Giorgio Lungarotti involves alcoholic fermentation in steel with maceration on the skins for a period of approximately 25-28 days. The wine ages in wood for about a year and refines for another year in the bottle.

Let's taste it.

San Giorgio Umbria IGT Rosso Lungarotti 2018 is a wine that presents itself to our eyes in a deep, intense and rigorous ruby red colour. The first impression is of a nectar of great elegance. A sensation confirmed upon olfactory and tasting examination. The nose is rich, broad, complex and exclusive: a symphony of aromas of red fruits, currants and blackberries, with floral hints of violet, spicy pepper and fine balsamic notes. On the palate it is vigorous, full-bodied and well structured, with an alcohol content of 14% vol. The tannic texture is very elegant, fine, soft and enveloping. The finish is very long, fruity and mineral, with a surprising and very pleasant freshness.

A wine that needs to be paired with first courses with important condiments, roasts and red meats, or long-matured or spicy cheeses. Due to its uniqueness and elegance, it can also be drunk alone, as a meditation wine.

The international success and the excellent scores obtained by critics are not surprising.

Do you know San Giorgio Lungarotti? Have you ever tasted it? What do you think?