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.
Decanter, 100 points: Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savoury, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: Broad and mouthfilling, exuding floral, black cherry, blackberry, graphite and stony mineral flavors. Powerful, yet reined in by the vivid acidity, with tannins that are refined and well-integrated. Shows terrific balance...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: There’s lots of clove character here, but the fruit really shines through, offering up intense hibiscus, orange rind, cranberries, Thai basil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and really structured and refined with an agile...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Intense aromas of black currant, blackberry, flint, iron, tar and black pepper mark this powerful red, which is vibrant and solidly tannic, yet all the components are in the right place. There's terrific energy on the...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot and 7% Malvasia Nera, this opens with aromas of black- and red-skinned berry, pipe tobacco, tilled earth and a whiff of new leather. Elegant and taut, the palate shows tension, verve...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is so focused and precise with fantastic depth and beauty. A pure definition of sangiovese. Full-bodied, tight and refined. Yet, full of strength and length. Succulent, too. A single-vineyard wine with soul. Better...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A red with plenty of ripe fruit, such as berries and cherries with some fresh-herb and lemon undertones. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright fruit and fine tannins. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Fragrant blue-flower, perfumed berry, new leather and pipe-tobacco aromas waft out of the glass along with whiffs of a freshly tilled vineyard. The smooth, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Wow. What a gorgeous Brunello with complex and beautiful aromas and flavors of cherries, flowers, walnuts and berries. It’s full-bodied, yet so polished and refined with soft, creamy tannins that are long and linear at...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This has an unwonted, intensely floral note of eucalyptus and tee tree oil, which makes it immediately recognizable against other 2015 Brunellos. Besides that, there are ripe rose stems and dried lavender. It has a racy...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 99 points: The stunning 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna Delle Grazie is a protagonist of the vintage. This growing season has produced a collection of iconic wines, and to my palate none is more impressive than this...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: There’s wonderful polish and focus to the vibrant nose here, which frames sour cherries, raspberries, fruit tea and darker, earthier elements. Medium-to full-bodied and beautifully pure and inviting, this is a dialed-in...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale shows extreme focus and precision with a pretty succession of dark fruit aromas followed by spice, leather and baked terracotta. This wine exhibits lots of depth and dimension...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: This is a pure expression of Sangiovese that punches above its weight with an almost Brunello-like intensity. The color and the tannic weight here is more prominent than in most Sangioveses, however, that unique coastal...
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