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, 98 points: A very beautiful and thoughtful Testamatta with aromas of earth, terra cotta, black tea, and lavender. Full-bodied, very layered and extremely polished with superb, soft tannins. Racy and very long. Muscular and formed...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: A very fresh 2017 with plenty of tight and linear tannins that give the wine energy and drive. Medium to full body. Racy finish. This is impressive. Fantastic texture and complexity on the palate with purple fruit and wet...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: A beautiful nose that shows dark plums, vanilla, tar, tobacco and spices. Full-bodied and very powerful with punchy tannins, but some real integration to the agile fruit and acidity. The complexity and depth at the end is...
Vinous, 93 points: Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry, red currant and fresh herbs are complicated by roast coffee, licorice and mocha. Plush, pliant and sweet, offering seductive red berry, coffee and tobacco flavors lifted by a candied...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is a reductive wine at first, so decant or open early to allow it to reveal its real beauty. Pure cherries, cedar, lemons, freshly cut herbs, Chinese spices and bark. Focused and linear on the palate with fine...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: Streamlined and elegant, this mid-weight red trots out notes of grilled herb and dark fruit nuances that segue to spice, tilled earth and savory tobacco, with great complexity. This 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva...
Decanter, 97 points: The south-facing Rancia vineyard reaches altitudes of 420 metres, overlooking the lower-lying vineyards of Colli Senesi. It boasts complex soils of calcareous clay layered with the chalky white limestone-like alberese and...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A fresh and bright red with sliced-orange and black-cherry aromas and flavors. Medium body. Tight and compact. Long and flavorful finish. Will age beautifully. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: This wine has been a single-vineyard Sangiovese since Fattoria le Pupille removed the Merlot from the blend in 2012. The 2016 Poggio Valente is precise and direct, the result of a lot of enological brain power and Coastal...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: (98+ points) The 2016 Fontalloro is the best vintage of this landmark wine that I have tasted thus far. This is a very elegant vintage, with more volume in the mouth and precise notes of tar, licorice, camphor ash, resin...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Ripe plum, cassis, cedar, underbrush and tobacco aromas slowly appear on this compelling red. It's full bodied and elegant, delivering prune, black cherry compote and exotic spice alongside smooth, enveloping tannins...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: The citrus, dark fruit and leaf aromas are intense. Full body, polished and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Extremely structured and beautiful. Needs two or three years to soften.
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: A beautiful nose with tangerine peel, strawberries, rose petals, boysenberries, cranberries, red plums, red cherries and dark spices. Very grainy and refined on the palate with a real kick from the orange-rind undertones...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: A dense and beautiful young sangiovese with dried cherry, orange rind and flowers. Full body, tight and silky with a long and seamless finish. Tannic and structured. A fantastic sangiovese. Aged in cask. No new wood. Give...
Vinous, 95 points: 95+ The 2014 Il Carbonaione is one of the truly exceptional wines of this challenging season. Lithe and aromatic on the palate, with fabulous energy and overall brightness, it stands out for its superb balance. In many...
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