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.
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...
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, 98 points: Aromas of blackberries, black olives, green olive, and violets. It’s really aromatic. Full-bodied, yet so precise and polished with creamy, layered tannins that caress your palate. It’s extremely persistent and goes on...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2015 Galatrona is another gem from this estate. Made from a single vineyard and 100% Merlot brought up in one-third new French oak, its vibrant purple color is followed by a heavenly bouquet of crème de cassis, black...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: Superb wine here, offering aromas of dark berries, tobacco, tar, blackberries and black cherries. It changes all the time and is very complex with hints of meat. On the palate it's full-bodied and very well refined...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Beautiful aromas of violets and blackberry with hints of spice. Some sweet tobacco. Full body, yet refined and polished with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. The texture and intensity are exceptional. Fantastic...
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Interesting wines, good pricing, and very good and knowledgeable customer service from Michel. I love the fact that if you see something you want, but haven't room for it at home (yet), they will keep it for you and send it when you want it.
-Tracey B., September 2020