Il Torrione is an estate in Gualdo Cattaneo in the Montefalco DOC region of Umbria, in central Italy. It produces red wine under the Montefalco Rosso DOC and Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. Il Torrione, which means ‘small tower’, is at the foot of Saragano hill. The medieval village of Saragano gets its name from the roman consul, Lucio Licinio Sura, a general whose skills as a warrior are represented on Trajan’s column in Rome.

Founder-owner: Antonio Napolitano, who is from Rome. He bought the estate in 1997 as he could use it when hunting here at weekends. The estate came with a small vineyard.

Staff: Emiliano Falsini has consulted here almost from when the estate started making wine.

Vineyards: Il Torrione is a property of 40 hectares, in a hilly area at the foot of Saragano hill in the commune of Gualdo Cattaneo. The historic estate name is “Li Carletti”. The vineyard borders the medieval walls of the Longobard castle of Saragano, and the extensive views are of Monte Amiata and the mosaic of hills surrounding Todi. 350 metres. Very clayey soil. 3ha of vines (10K bottles). Merlot, Sagrantino (the oldest vines, planted by the previous owner), and Sangiovese (the main grape here). Also some Trebbiano Spoletino for white wine. 

Winery: Stainless steel for fermentation.

White wines

Bianco Mascherone, Umbria IGT | 100% Trebbiano Spoletino.

Red wines

Montefalco Rosso DOC | 70% Sangiovese, 15% each merlot and Sagrantino. | 2011 Their oldest vintage: a touch of red fruit followed by some pretty dry tannins (23 Feb 2020). 15% alc. | 2012 Some nice wild plum fruit but again over-extracted and rather drying (23 Feb 2020). | 2013 15% alc. Dried out. Still seems to be fermenting. Pretty dry and unforgiving (23 Feb 2020). | 2014 Not made. | 2015 A bit more fruit compared to the previous wines, but rather dry tannins exposed by the lack of fruit (23 Feb 2020). 

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, Il Torrione | 2010 100% Sagrantino. Debut vintage. | 2014 No wine made. | 2016 15.5%. High tone nose (acetic). Rather drying palate. Lacks softness and clarity (23 Feb 2020). | 2019 A very good year in the region. Started to pick from 28 Oct 2019.

Rosso Mascherone, Umbria IGT | Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot.

Sweet wines

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG Passito, Il Torrione | 2010 100% Sagrantino. Debut vintage. | 2015 15% alc. The best wine so far but still rather lacking in enjoyment (23 Feb 2020). 

Other activities: Olives for DOP extra virgin olive oil made from Moraiolo, Frantoio, Leccino and San Felice. Cereals are grown using annual crop rotation methods. Agritourism with 3 appartments.

Contact

Soc. Agr. Il Torrione

Via della Villa, 2

06035 Gualdo Cattaneo (PG), Italy

Website: See here.

Bibliography

Visit on Sunday 23 Feb 2020.