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, 98 points: This is another fantastic white and continues to be one of the best from Tuscany. It’s so perfumed with sliced apples, pears and kiwis, as well as cream, hot stone and sea. Granite. Full-bodied yet energetic and layered...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: (98+ points) The 2016 Biserno is a softly textured wine with enormous richness, plushness and softness. The bouquet opens to profound depth with thick layers of dark fruit, sweet spice, chocolate, tar and camphor ash...
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, 97 points: A ripe and juicy super Tuscan with lots of aromas of ripe berries, chocolate, nutmeg and spices, which follow through to a full body. Round, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Rich and layered with beautiful fruit and...
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: The 2014 Sammarco was bottled in August and will be released in January 2019. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese. At this young stage, the wine already offers an impressive array of complex...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Beautiful aromas of violets, berries and currants. Dried flowers, too. Full body, such intense fruit and acidity. Vivid and complex. Wild raspberry. Tight and dense. A triumph for Siepi. Half sangivoese and merlot. Better...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: This wine delivers an exceptional quality of fruit. The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore l'Alberello is vinous and raw with an unmistakably authentic quality that gives this wine character and a specific territorial identity. You...
Vinous, 95 points: Beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2009 Lupicaia is a standout. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint, anise, savory herbs and spices all ring out in a supple, gracious wine loaded with class. The 2009 needs a few years...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: There's a purity and clarity of fruit in this young Brunello. Cherry and berry character follow through to full body, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows depth and intensity. Drink in 2020.
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: (98+ points) From a great vintage for Bolgheri, the 2016 Ornellaia is a classic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot that was aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. Its...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: The polish and fine texture to this 2014 is impressive with blueberry, dark chocolate and light walnut aromas and flavors. Medium body, integrated tannins and a long, refined finish. Serious sense for the vintage. Better...
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...
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