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.
Vinous, 98 points: Castellare's I Sodi di San Niccolò is the single most overlooked high-end wine in Tuscany today. The 2016 picks up where the 2015 left off. A rush of inky dark fruit, lavender, spice, licorice, gravel, blueberry and...
Decanter, 100 points: Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savoury, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: There’s something ethereal in the nose with flowers, cherries, strawberries and shitake mushrooms. Full body. This grows on the palate with super tannin and fruit structure. So much berry flavor and round, caressing...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: What an amazing nose with pure herbs coming to the fore, soon to be joined by fresh brambleberries, blueberries, violets, heather, lavender, pine needles and forest floor. Full body, chewy but incredibly fine tannins, and...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: There’s a cascade of dried florals here, ranging from rose petals to lilacs; the glazed strawberries and cherries are equally intense. So much power and ripeness to the full-bodied palate, but there’s a savory, stony...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: Aromas of juniper, rosemary, thyme and Szechuan peppercorn segue to strawberry, cherry and rose hip flavors in this elegant red. Intense and balanced, with the structure to develop over the next two decades. Shows...
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...
Showing 15 of 119 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
JJ Buckley has been my go-to vendor for fine wines for nearly nine years. Their wine reps do an excellent job and I have yet to have a single negative experience when I deal with them.
-Shawn D., July 2017