1997 Lungarotti Rubesco Vigna Monticchio Torgiano Rosso Riserva 750 ml

1997 was one of Italy’s most celebrated vintages ever, and most of its greatest wines are long gone—buried in collectors’ cellars, or poured at their tables.

So the opportunity to secure a small tranche of the ‘97 Lungarotti’s Rubesco Vigna Monticchio—a 100% Sangiovese Riserva that belongs in the pantheon of the great Italian wines—well, it instantly became one of the most talked-about wines around our office.

What Biondi-Santi is to Brunello, what Conterno is to Barolo, Lungarotti is to Umbria, Tuscany’s next-door neighbor. Founded in the 1960s, they were one of the first to modernize winemaking in the region, producing rich, intricate reds that rival top Tuscans for longevity and pure soul. This is their flagship—and the 1997 shows how beautifully these wines can age.

The Lungarotti winery, nestled in the heart of Umbria, was founded in 1962 by Giorgio Lungarotti. Since then, the estate has played a pivotal role in elevating the reputation of Umbrian wines on the global stage. Now led by Giorgio's daughters, Chiara and Teresa Lungarotti, it stands as one of Italy's most respected producers.

The Lungarotti family has been instrumental in promoting the Torgiano region, establishing it as Umbria’s first DOC, in 1968. Later, in 1990, Torgiano Rosso Riserva achieved DOCG status. The family’s commitment to their land is evident in their sustainable farming practices, and in the Lungarotti Foundation, which includes a wine museum and an olive and oil museum.

When you drink Lugnarotti’s Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, you’re drinking the ultimate in Umbrian wine. Sourced from the estate's finest vineyard plots, raised meticulously in large Slavonian oak casks, it’s a wine that perfectly balances power and elegance.

It's still showing years of life ahead of it, with harmonious aromas of dried red plum, orange peel, cranberry skin, crushed roses, resinous herbs and tan tobacco, with wafts of oregano, cedar, spice-cured meat and worn leather lingering in the background. The palate is fully integrated, with layers of red fruit, leather, iodine, and salted tomato skin, providing so much to contemplate.