Lamborghini: Red Cars & Red Wine

Most people go on vacation and purchase gifts for future enjoyment or sentimental memory.  But if you're Ferruccio Lamborghini and you fall in love with the estate where you're vacationing,  you buy the estate!   Simple enough... 

On a family holiday in 1971, Ferruccio did just that.  Today, the Lamborghini estate lies just south of Lake Trasimeno and the medieval hamlet of Panicale.  Situated on the border between Umbria and Tuscany, the estate spans approximately 100 hectares;  32 of which are devoted to fine wine production.  The remainder of the estate encompasses an Agriturismo and a nine hole golf course.  

~ Panicale lies 450 meters above Lago di Trasimeno ~

Today we're spotlighting the flagship wine of the Lamborghini estate and is it any wonder that it's a racy, refined, robust red?  Add in consulting winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, and we're (excuse me) off to the races..... 

Planted in the 1970's the vineyards that produce fruit for "Campoleone" are devoted to Merlot and Sangiovese and planted to a density of 5,500 plants per hectare.  Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrique where the varietals are aged separately for up to 12 months.  The wine is only blended at the time of bottling and is then aged an additional 6 months prior to release.  

The 2006 Lamborghini Campoleone is a serious red.  This deep ruby colored wine lightens only slightly toward the rim and portends a young brooding wine.  On the nose, the aromas are really developing wonderful complexity.  There is lots of ripe red fruit,  but secondary notes of worn leather, turned earth, mushroom, and anise add considerable interest and complexity.  

On the palate, this 50/50 blend of Merlot and Sangiovese is no less striking.  Deep flavors of red and black plums, mushrooms, cured meat, fennel, and leaf tobacco are persistent.  Polished, with a racy frame, this has plenty of acidity to keep things fresh but without the ribeyes pictured,  was very chewy indeed.  You can feel the tannins on your teeth and although delicious with the meat,  I might hold these for another 2-3 years before checking in again.  I've always said that Sangiovese and Merlot make for a wonderful marriage and this does little to change that opinion.  Definitely a more modern rather than rustic interpretation, but like the cars themselves;  well built, racy and timeless.  93 points, about $30. 

~ Lots of structure in this 2006.  Recommend Holding 203 more years ~ 

We'll be reporting on more wines from this estate in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned! 

Salute!