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 vivid and bright red with intense blueberries and raspberries. Floral undertones and tons of citrus, too! Full-bodied, dense and layered. Polished tannins and fantastic fruit. The muscularity of the structure is what...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: An intense perfume of juniper, bay laurel, sage, rose and berries marks this silky red. The structure is there, yet superb balance and refined tannins help this retain elegance through the long finish. Almost ethereal...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Rose, wild berry, camphor and a whiff of exotic spice float out of the glass along with a hint of new leather. Radiant and loaded with finesse, the taut, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy red cherry, strawberry...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Cedar, red licorice, tar, Christmas pudding, orange peel and dried plums. Full body, chewy tannins, driven acidity and a medium-long finish. Drink in 2020.
Vinous, 93 points: The 2013 Valletta is a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot from the Ba¨r family's holdings in Panzano, just a stone's throw away from Rampolla. Black cherry, plum, lavender, mint and spice all meld together in an...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is very fine and classy with a purity of sangiovese that gives a blueberry and cherry character throughout. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a racy and pretty finish. Bordeaux blend and happening. Better in 2018.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Plenty of smoke and berry character with dark tea and sweet tobacco. Full body, silky and fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Seriously classy. Drink now.
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is a Brunello with a beautiful purity of fruit and balance of ultra-fine tannins. Full body, totally integrated and holistic. Fresh and focused. Drink in 2020 but already a joy to taste.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Lago (with 5,000 bottles made) sees fruit sourced from a vineyard site located in the northern part of the appellation. Unlike the Poggio al Granchio expression that is aged in...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: (94 points) This shows lovely depth on the nose with dark licorice, dried fruit, red meat, blood oranges and Indian spices. Full-bodied and intense, but with real linearity carved out by the bright acidity and firm...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: This is intense and complex yet subtle with fantastic aromas of rose petal, plum, clove and fresh mushroom. Hints of stems. Full body, focused and polished with a linear line of tannins and fabulous length. A beauty...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: (94 points) Plenty of spices and fresh herbs on the nose, such as dried rosemary and nutmeg, to match the underlying dried redcurrants and cranberries. Full-bodied with plenty of concentration, but still shows a very...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: Gorgeous and soft, the 2013 Fontalloro is another landmark wine from this classic vintage. There is enormous intensity here and the wine is only at the beginning of its long aging trajectory. I suggest you put off...
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JJ Buckley has a very good selection of good red wines and often good bargains...The representatives are very courteous and responsive. Definitely one of my (if not THE) favorite wine shops.
-Juan L., September 2019