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, 95 points: Dark-cherry and floral aromas with citrus and dried-lavender undertones. Full body and firm,chewy tannins with a solid structure and length. Needs time to soften and come together. Better after 2021.
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...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Pure aromas and flavors of black currant, blackberry and violet are shaded by notes of wild Mediterranean herbs, iron and sweet spices in this balanced red. The tannins are solid yet refined, and the finish lingers...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Creme de cassis, freshly picked blueberries, crushed violets, hot stones, dried sage and thyme, charcoal and bark. Full body, tightly worked tannins and a long yet tight finish. The palate shows real transparency and a...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Dark blueberry and shiitake mushroom turn to mineral and blue fruits. Full body, juicy and rich. Soft and round. Gorgeous. Rich style but remains so velvety. Available in January 2017. Better in 2019.
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: A dense and rich Brunello with lots of ripe fruit, spices and hints of new wood. Full-bodied, chewy and rich. A muscular wine that needs time to come together. Better after 2022.
Vinous, 95 points: Good full red. Perfumed aromas of red cherry, kirsch, mocha and herbs on the inviting nose. Despite its size, this is graceful and impeccably built, with very precise flavors of red plum, blueberry, milk chocolate and...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2015 Chianti Classico Viacosta speaks with authority and distinction. Unctuous and deep on the palate, the 2015 possesses tremendous textural depth while retaining its classic sense of structure. Macerated cherry...
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...
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...
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.
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, 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...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Balsamic notes of wild herbs and underbrush mingle with cherry and leather flavors in this vibrant, balanced red. Firms up on the long finish. In the traditional style. Best from 2020 through 2033. 880 cases made, 500...
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I enjoy reading about the wines and why JJ has selected them. They have knowledge on the wineries and the type of wines I enjoy. I have not been disappointed by any of the wines I have purchased.
-Lynn P., December 2020