The estate’s top bottling, the 2005 Campoleone, is a cuvee of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot that spent 12 months in French oak. A full-bodied, racy red, the wine possesses compelling layers of dark cherries, licorice, mint, tobacco, sweet herbs and French oak in an elegant, beautifully balanced style. Today the wine comes across as quite primary, but it should develop nicely with time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. This estate in the western part of Umbria makes wines that combine native and international varieties. Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (204) 294-4899

This 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot is one of the best red wines produced in Umbria. The Lamborghini family (of automotive fame) delivers a plush, modern—and yes, racy—red with dark concentration and generous tones of ripe cherry, vanilla and sweet spice. It has a chewy, plush feel in the mouth with bright freshness on the close.——M.L.(5/1/2008)—— 93