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.
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: Wow. Fantastic aromas of blackberries, currants, minerals, violets and graphite. Full-bodied with firm, silky tannins that are incredibly polished and intense, yet ever so refined and integrated in the wine. It goes on...
Vinous, 99 points: The 2019 Siepi continues a trend towards greater finesse and nuance in this wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, licorice and plum meld together effortlessly in the glass. Dense and layered, with striking detail, the...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2017 Le Redini, Cavalli's Merlot/Alicante blend, is a wine of tremendous character and personality. Deep and beautifully layered on the palate, with striking aromatics, the Redini has so much to offer. Black cherry...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Very complex aromas of crushed berries, yet the fresh herbs, dried berries, sandalwood and Spanish cedar add complexity and brightness. Full-bodied with tannins that melt into the wine. Savory. Cabernet franc, merlot...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Creme de cassis, freshly picked blueberries, crushed violets, hot stones, dried sage and thyme, charcoal and bark. Full body, tightly worked tannins and a long yet tight finish. The palate shows real transparency and a...
Vinous, 97 points: Siepi, Fonterutoli’s Merlot/Sangiovese blend, is absolutely gorgeous in 2018. Rich, pliant and creamy, Siepi offers all of the seductiveness of Merlot with the bright acids and grip of Sangiovese. Inky blue/purplish...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: A broad, ripe style, exhibiting plum, blackberry, tar, wild herb and tobacco flavors. Exuberant, with everything in the right proportions, ending with a long aftertaste of fruit, earth and spice. Cabernet Sauvignon...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2016 Camalaione is a worthy follow up to the 2015. For Camalaione, proprietors Luca Orsini and Valeria Viganò blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah and Merlot, an approach that works so well here. The 2016 is...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: So aromatic and complex with blackcurrants, blueberries, fresh violets and lavender on the nose. Some graphite and iodine, too. Medium to full body with firm, chewy tannins that are polished and refined, yet the palate is...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Subtle currant, light sandalwood and some cherry aromas. Full-bodied, yet fine-tuned and polished with tannins that melt beautifully into the wine. Long and focused. Beauty and balance to this. Better after 2022.
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is a tight and powerful Orma with solid tannins that beautifully frame the fruit in the wine. Full-bodied and focused with intense structure and fruit character. Perhaps the best Orma ever. Give this four or five...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Sweet berries, flowers and cedar on the nose. Some leather, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Shows tension and brightness. Excellent structure. Drinkable now, but...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is extremely perfumed with violets, sage, lavender, currants and berries. Fresh and vivid. Medium-to full-bodied with super refined tannins and fruit. So subtle and refined. This is really long and gorgeous. Goes on...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2014 Tenuta degli Dei is fabulous. In fact, the 2014 is one of the best recent vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. Aromatically expressive and inviting, the 2014 is terrific. Stylistically, it is perhaps not...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Dark blueberry and shiitake mushroom turn to mineral and blue fruits. Full body, juicy and rich. Soft and round. Gorgeous. Rich style but remains so velvety. Available in January 2017. Better in 2019.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: I had previously reviewed this blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot in a preview capacity. Now on the market, the 2018 Giusto di Notri comes together with seamless beauty. This is a rich and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: There's a lot to say, and admire, about the 2013 Saffredi. First off all, this is the first growing cycle made under the careful watch of enologist Luca D'Attoma. This makes all the difference. One of his changes is an...
Decanter, 96 points: Such a fragrant and appealing burst of aromas here with milk chocolate, blackcurrants, dried herbs and flowers. A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a core of cherries and raspberries alongside savoury...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: This is another incredible edition of this wine. The fruit pops straight out with pure blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries. Then, if that wasn’t enough, the nose reveals dark herbs, citrus, iodine, crushed stones...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A balanced and fresh red for the hot 2017 vintage with medium body, fine tannins and plenty of currants, blackberries and blueberries on the finish. Drink or hold.
Vinous, 95 points: The 2007 Saffredi is drop-dead gorgeous. Roasted coffee beans, grilled herbs, mocha and dark fruit emerge from this beautiful, textured wine. The richness of the fruit radiates through to the long, polished finish. The...
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: Red berry, cedar and light spice aromas lead the way on this dazzling red. The vibrant palate is loaded with finesse, delivering bright red currant, red raspberry, white pepper and chopped herb alongside bright acidity...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: A bright and fruity red with a level of tightness and precision that suggests greatness. Medium to full body. Intense tannins give focus to the center palate. Super length and beauty. Celebrates its 25th anniversary. 80%...
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Very nice prices on hard-to-find wines. I look forward to the emails listing the specials and find them hard to resist (unfortunately for my pocketbook).
-Verified Buyer, August 2021