1990 Lungarotti Rubesco Riserva Monticchio Torgiano

70% Sangiovese 30% Canaiolo. The 1990 vintage is considered the best harvest of the century; the production was regular, with a hot and dry summer; the wine confirms a significant longevity thanks to the excellent grape maturation. Aged 18 months in a mix of Slavonian oak casks and French oak barriques. This vintage was released in 2000 with a special millennium label. Deep deep garnet, really deeply coloured and just a touch of browning at the rim. Ripe and pruney at first, and fragrant with baking spice. Touch of furniture polish. Notes of leather and undergrowth, intensely aromatic but much more raisiny than any other vintage so far but each aroma is subtle and not dominant. Touch of liquorice. Fine, fine chalky tannins and very fluid across the palate though there's a tight structure still created by the acid and tannins. Long and a way to go. Really juicy and fresh and long. Delicious. (JH)