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.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Aged in amphorae, the 2016 Val d'Arno di Sopra Bòggina A is a pure expression of Sangiovese. The wine is beautifully ethereal, delicate and fragile, showing focused purity and intensity at the same time. In a nutshell...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: There is a lovely delicateness and softness to the 2016 Promis. The IGT appellation used here reflects fruit (a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese) sourced from Bibbona. The Promis has always seen Merlot in a leading...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: The 2007 d’Alceo shows none of the Sammarco’s early appeal. It is a dark, inward wine imbued with black fruit, roasted coffee beans, grilled herbs and licorice, all of which build effortlessly towards the huge, explosive...
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, 97 points: The 2009 Vin San Giusto (375 ml) is so sugary and syrupy my fingers are sticking to the computer keyboard as I write this review. This beautiful dessert wine shows a dark amber color with copper highlights. The wine is...
Vinous, 97 points: Tua Rita's 2016 Syrah Per Sempre is fabulous. Crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, plum and blueberry jam are all beautifully delineated. Savory, powerful and also structured, the 2016 has plenty of intensity, but it also...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2015 Galatrona is another gem from this estate. Made from a single vineyard and 100% Merlot brought up in one-third new French oak, its vibrant purple color is followed by a heavenly bouquet of crème de cassis, black...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: The deep, rich red-plum nose sucks you into this powerful Brunello that has great fruit and polished, dry tannins that are beautifully in synch. Long, intense and rather complex finish. A great food wine for tonight, but...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2016 Concerto di Fonterutoli, the estate's blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, is dense, plush and explosive, with superb depth and notable persistence. Super-ripe black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Very aromatic with cedar, dried flower, cherry and smoke. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a polished and tight finish. Needs another three or four years to open.
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: From a cooler, more challenging vintage, the 2014 Ornellaia is nevertheless a beautiful wine. Based on 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new oak, it has...
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