Located in central Italy along the Tyrrhenian coast, Tuscany is home to some of the world’s most notable wine regions. Along with the Piedmont, Tuscany is the country’s most important and high-yielding wine area. Perhaps the most famous, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (all made with the Sangiovese grape), and Vin Santo (a dessert wine), have been named the "Super Tuscans." They represent a large group of some of Italy’s best red wines born in the early 1970s.
Tuscany is divided into twenty-nine Denominazione di Origin Controllata (DOC) and seven Denominazioni di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The regulations imposed by these groups were what brought about the “super Tuscans.” Producers felt restricted and made wines outside DOC/DOCG regulations that were considered to be of high quality—and demanded a high price as a result.
Some producers sought to keep away from using some legally “suggested” grape varieties, like the Italian white grapes which were considered an integral aspect of Chianti. Other winemakers began blending Cabernet and Merlot with indigenous grape varieties, which, at the time in the early 70s, wereforbidden.
While the Tuscany region produces a wide range of excellent wines for wine lovers, some of the more famous Tuscan wines, like Chianti and Brunello, are experiencing a marked decrease in bottles sold. There are many reasons for this; among them: a steep rise in prices recently; the hot Tuscan real estate market pushing some of the more experienced winemakers out; and the influx of oenological consultants who are having a negative impact on the diversity of wines. Fortunately, most recently, this trend may be reversing.
Wine Spectator, 97 points: Seductive, yet packs a serious punch. Blackberry, black currant, cedar, iron, coffee and vanilla flavors unravel as this builds on the palate to a long finish. All the elements are in the right place. Merlot. Best from...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: This is the flagship wine from Luca Sanjust's Petrolo estate located not too far from Arezzo in the Valdarno area of eastern Tuscany. The 2016 Galatrona is indeed a masterpiece to behold. This wine offers thick layering...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is incredibly fresh for a 2017 with a well-executed, reductive edge; it opens with rosemary, thyme and tea leaves, before moving through blackcurrants, dark cherries, brambleberries, ash, tobacco and citrus. Dense...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: The polish and fine texture to this 2014 is impressive with blueberry, dark chocolate and light walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, integrated tannins and a long, refined finish. Serious sense for the vintage. Better...
Vinous, 100 points: The 2016 L'Apparita, 100% Merlot, is a breathtaking, riveting wine that captures all the potential of the vintage. In this vintage, L'Apparita is especially silky and refined. Layered, perfumed and wonderfully nuanced...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: The 2016 Poggio ai Merli is gorgeous. That's the short and the long of it. Merlot shows some of its best performances ever in Tuscany in the 2016 vintage. This wine is exceedingly smooth and silky, yet its tightly knit...
Vinous, 98 points: Ama's 2015 L'Apparita is shaping up to be phenomenal. That is the good news. But readers are going to have to give the 2015 at least another 8-10 years before the wine starts to drink well, as today, the flavors are...
jamessuckling.com, 100 points: This is an extraordinary merlot with such purity and focus. Flowers such as violets and hints of orange peel. It is full-bodied yet incredibly energetic and structured. The finish goes on for minutes. Seamless texture...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is a glorious young merlot with flowers, blackberries, hazelnuts and chocolate on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, layered and creamy with ripe and firm tannins. Wonderful depth and length. Better in 2022 and...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (97-98 points) A powerful and rich red with wonderful integrity and depth. Full-bodied, tight and silky. Lovely texture and tannin quality. This could equal the great 2015! 100% merlot.
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Fantastic aromas of red pepper, chocolate, chili, and blueberry. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a beautiful length and balance. A triumph for a difficult vintage in 2014. And the 20th vintage of this great pure...
Showing 11 of 11 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
Great selection of wines, great information about each of the wines, always good prices and the website makes it very to to purchase, store and ship my purchases whenever I want.
-Gary F., October 2019
Please close this tab