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: 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, 95 points: A red with plenty of blackberry, black-olive, floral and oyster-shell character. It’s full-bodied, yet layered, extremely polished and beautiful. A dusty texture. Hazelnut and walnut undertones. From organically grown...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Aromas of tar, dark berries, ash and hot stones follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with firm and silky tannins. A fresh and bright finish. Shows tension and energy. Drink in 2020.
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...
Vinous, 96 points: The 2018 Bòggina C (Bòggina Classico) is another superb wine from Petrolo. Here, Sangiovese is aged in oak, which gives the wine more mid-palate depth and broader shoulders, which, frankly, the wine seems to benefit from...
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...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Highly Recommended. This red is broad, yet vivid and focused, featuring violet, black currant, blueberry, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. A swath of dense tannins lends support as this plays out on the long...
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...
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.
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Dried leaves, chocolate and licorice on the nose, followed by black olives. It’s full-bodied with firm, focused tannins and a long, savory finish. Dark chocolate and crushed walnuts. Tar and hints of asphalt. Drink from 2023.
Vinous, 95 points: Fontalloro is exquisite in 2017. It is also such a contrast to the Rancia, as the two wines could not possibly be more different. Fontalloro is bright and vibrant, with more sweet red Sangiovese character than the darker...
Vinous, 92 points: Petrolo's 2018 Torrione is fabulous. Deep, inky and generous, the 2018 packs a serious punch. Ripe dark red fruit, chocolate, spice, leather and tobacco are all kicked up a few notches, with sweet floral top notes that...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: A racy, fine-tuned Chianti Classico with blackberry, black-cherry and wet-earth aromas. Medium-bodied with medium polished tannins and a long finish. Transparent. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also...
Vinous, 93 points: The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is fabulous. There are more 'important' wines in the range, but the Riserva delivers superb quality for the money. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice and cloves show a darker side...
Decanter, 91 points: Poggio Landi’s 27 hectares of Brunello vineyards are scattered throughout diverse areas: the north around Montosoli, the northeastern zone of Torrenieri, and La Crociona to the southeast of Montalcino. A blend of all...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: I am immediately smitten by the Biondi-Santi 2016 Rosso di Montalcino thanks to the purity of the aromas on display. The bouquet literally submerges the senses in Sangiovese, with those delicate aromas of wild rose...
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...
Wine Spectator, 98 points: Cherry, strawberry, earth and mineral flavors provide immediate appeal up front, while the dense structure indicates this red will evolve steadily over a few decades. Underbrush and tobacco elements seep in around the...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Due to the very hot growing season, the 2012 Percarlo shows slightly evolved and spicy aromas of tobacco and leather on first nose. This pure expression of Sangiovese from the cooler Gaiole in Chianti sub zone is aged in...
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, 93 points: The 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, like all the Villa S. Anna wines, is a tense, firmly structured wine. Wild dark cherry, underbrush, dried herbs and crushed flowers are some of the many nuances that flesh out in the...
Vinous, 93 points: The 2017 Chianti Classico is a gorgeous, inviting wine. Pliant fruit and soft contours give the 2017 so much immediacy and appeal. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red cherry while spice, new leather and sweet...
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...
Vinous, 93 points: The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Ginestreto is a gorgeous expression of Sangiovese fruit, showing spiced black cherries with hints of clove, sage and dusty florals. It’s ripe and generous yet also perfectly balanced, blending...
Vinous, 92 points: Pale red; this wine’s very pretty color strikes me as being one of the less dark Rossos made by Pacenti in years. Inviting floral notes (rose, violet) complement strawberry, red cherry and delicate flint and herb aromas...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, black cherries and flowers, such as violets. Medium body, super fine tannins with wonderful length and breed. Racy and refined with plenty of depth and beauty. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Transparent and linear with currant and cherry aromas and flavors. It’s beautifully fine and bright with crushed cherries and berries and hints of strawberries. Pine needles and fresh herbs, too. Very silky tannins and a...
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