Lamborghini (La Fiorita)
Campoleone Umbria Sangiovese Merlot
Umbria, Italy
Let’s just get the obvious out of the way: yes, it’s THAT Lamborghini. After Ferruccio retired from building cars and tractors, he bought the La Fiorita estate in Umbria and he took up winemaking. I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy a few different vintages of “Campoleone”, their most serious wine, over the years but it’s often a bit of a challenge to find in the middle of the US. It’s traditionally a 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot and labeled as an IGT. I had two bottles of the 2001 vintage in my cellar and decided to open one because, why not? As luck would have it, the first one was corked. Might as well open the second! That’s more like it!
Popped and poured a small glass for myself. The 2001 “Campoleone” pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards an orange rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. Some faint signs of sediment too. On the nose, it seemed a bit reticent so I took Tim Heaton’s lead, based off his fabulous note from back in 2017. Into the decanter it went while I prepared dinner. I ended up leaving about 2oz in the bottle as it was full of sediment; almost a muddy sludge. After about 90 minutes, the nose came alive!
Developing still, after 23 years! Beautiful notes of plums, brambles, purple flowers, leather, tobacco, green herbs and spice drawer. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (though well integrated at this stage) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, dry and zippy. What a tasty treat and I can’t underscore how youthful this seemed! Based off this experience, well-stored examples are drinking well now with a 1-2 hour decant or enjoy through 2031 with ease.
Let’s just get the obvious out of the way: yes, it’s THAT Lamborghini. After Ferruccio retired from building cars and tractors, he bought the La Fiorita estate in Umbria and he took up winemaking. I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy a few different vintages of “Campoleone”, their most serious wine, over the years but it’s often a bit of a challenge to find in the middle of the US. It’s traditionally a 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot and labeled as an IGT. I had two bottles of the 2001 vintage in my cellar and decided to open one because, why not? As luck would have it, the first one was corked. Might as well open the second! That’s more like it!
Popped and poured a small glass for myself. The 2001 “Campoleone” pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards an orange rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. Some faint signs of sediment too. On the nose, it seemed a bit reticent so I took Tim Heaton’s lead, based off his fabulous note from back in 2017. Into the decanter it went while I prepared dinner. I ended up leaving about 2oz in the bottle as it was full of sediment; almost a muddy sludge. After about 90 minutes, the nose came alive!
Developing still, after 23 years! Beautiful notes of plums, brambles, purple flowers, leather, tobacco, green herbs and spice drawer. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (though well integrated at this stage) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, dry and zippy. What a tasty treat and I can’t underscore how youthful this seemed! Based off this experience, well-stored examples are drinking well now with a 1-2 hour decant or enjoy through 2031 with ease.
Just saw I paid $79 for this in 2003! Glad it was so good...
Just saw I paid $79 for this in 2003! Glad it was so good...
Mar 10th, 2019
Very pretty, probably at peak, elegant and delicious.
Very pretty, probably at peak, elegant and delicious.
Dec 29th, 2018
Seems like this is still a baby. Try again in 5 years?
Seems like this is still a baby. Try again in 5 years?
Dec 18th, 2017
Awesome blend of merlot and sangiovese.
Awesome blend of merlot and sangiovese.
Sep 21st, 2017Dark cherry and some fennel, but not complex enough for this price
Dark cherry and some fennel, but not complex enough for this price
Apr 11th, 2017Nice Sangiovese Merlot blend from Umbria. Cedar, earthy terrior, nice level of tannins yet. Enjoying with Maggie's double crust pizza and Pens Caps game about to start! LET'S GO PENS!!
Nice Sangiovese Merlot blend from Umbria. Cedar, earthy terrior, nice level of tannins yet. Enjoying with Maggie's double crust pizza and Pens Caps game about to start! LET'S GO PENS!!
Apr 28th, 2016
This is one of the most complex and layered blends I have ever enjoyed. Had a bottle about 6 months ago... Absolutely peaking now. Tons of cigar tobacco up front; leather, clove, dried orange zest. The palate starts off tight, opening to wild cherry, menthol, black pepper, allspice, and charcoal. Finished long, giving you ample time to asses the components as they linger on your palate.
This is one of the most complex and layered blends I have ever enjoyed. Had a bottle about 6 months ago... Absolutely peaking now. Tons of cigar tobacco up front; leather, clove, dried orange zest. The palate starts off tight, opening to wild cherry, menthol, black pepper, allspice, and charcoal. Finished long, giving you ample time to asses the components as they linger on your palate.
Apr 24th, 2016Deep garnet to brown. Canned vegetables, cherry, dark closet. Medium acidity, medium sugar. Lean fine tannins.
Deep garnet to brown. Canned vegetables, cherry, dark closet. Medium acidity, medium sugar. Lean fine tannins.
Feb 2nd, 2016