Posted By Joel on June 12, 2009

Lamborghini Trescone 2004, Umbria Rosso IGT

Ready to kick up your heels?

The Trescone, one of Central Italy’s oldest folk dances, has traditionally been performed to celebrate the end of the harvest. And, in addition to the harvest, Umbrian folk have plenty to dance about: the region has wonderful wines, food, culture, and natural beauty.

You can learn more about the Trescone and Umbrian folk tradition at Gruppo Folkloristico Umbria Folk @ http://www.umbriafolk.eu/.

The Lamborghini estate named its wine Trescone after the “il ballo del Trescone” and is located in Umbria nearby the border with Tuscany, just south of Lake Trasimeno. Ferruccio Lamborghini - the automotive baron whose life, by the way, is quite interesting in terms of how he got from “here” to “there” - purchased the property while on holiday during the ’70s in a passionate response to the land’s beauty. Patrizia Lamborghini began managing the estate during the ’90s with a mind to raising the quality bar, making changes in the estate’s viticultural philosopy and practice(s), not the least of which were reduced yields and a fellow named Riccardo Cotarella (consulting oenologist).  The estate produces wines in a modern style that shine a light on typically regional Umbrian characteristics.

Lamborghini’s Trescone is made from 50% Sangiovese, 30 % Ciliegiolo and 20 % Merlot from vines averaging 20 years old. Located at 200m-500m altitude, estate vineyards are of calcareous clay, sand, and limestone.

The fruit marcerates on skins for 18-20 days and fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks.  The wine is aged in 500 litre French oak for 4 months.

Tasting notes / Impressions

The color is a deep purple-red, like plum fruit, with scents of raspberry, cherry, strawberry, herb, and spice. The wine has good weight on the palate, and notes of richly toned plum, black cherry, herbs, and vanilla.  Tannins are seductively soft and smooth, yet bring good structure to the wine that finishes dry with good minerality.  Nicely balanced, easy to drink.

NOTE:  This wine opened up beautifully with 30 minutes of air before drinking.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

Meat / Game:  veal, beef, porchetta, roast chicken or turkey, pidgeon, rabbit, especially try with pounded veal cutlets! Pasta: lasagne, pastas with meat based sauces or dressed with mushroom / truffle;  Cheeses: especially recommend ricotta salata, pecorino fresco.  This also is a great wine for eclectic experimentation with Indian or Asian dishes !

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Categories: $ (Under $25), Umbria, Uncategorized, Wine
Tags: Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Sangiovese