The 2018 Bibi Graetz Testamatta IGT is a red wine crafted from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Produced in Tuscany, Italy, this wine features an alcohol content of 13.5% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. Known for its exceptional quality, it has garnered high praise from multiple wine reviewers.
Decanter awarded it a perfect score of 100, highlighting its "nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany." The review mentions the wine's "succulent and yet savoury" profile with notes of "ripe berry fruits, sage and white pepper spice." The wine's clear minerality and "scraping texture" make your mouth water on the finish. The reviewer also points out that Bibi Graetz selects old vines, the youngest being 50 years old, from five different vineyard sites across Tuscany, all farmed organically.
James Suckling gave it a score of 97, noting its "very subtle aromas of cherries, bark, black truffles and flowers." He describes it as "full-bodied, yet very tight and solid with a very tight, minerally structure." According to Suckling, the wine has "powerful, orange-peel and citrus-fruit undertones" and is "extremely structured," suggesting it will develop further with time and should not be touched until after 2023.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated it 94, appreciating its "elegant Sangiovese purity and transparency." The review highlights delicate wild berry and blueberry tones, finishing with accents of "crushed limestone and a touch of campfire ash." The wine is described as "radiant and vivid with a luminous ruby or garnet color." It also mentions that the oak use is minimal, with barrels up to their 16th year of use.
Wine Enthusiast gave it a 93, praising its "alluring scents of fragrant blue flowers, wild berries, pipe tobacco and menthol." The review emphasizes the wine's "vibrant, elegant palate" with flavors of "juicy raspberry, Morello cherry, licorice and toasted nuts." It notes that the wine is still young and will develop further, recommending a drinking window from 2023 to 2030.
Jane Anson, who also awarded it a perfect score of 100, lauded its "clarity of flavour and the sense of energy." She highlights its Sangiovese signature, featuring "raspberry, red cherry, rose petals, tobacco, freshly cured leather," and praised its "great persistency through the palate." Anson describes the tannins as "fine and silky but not afraid to ask for engagement."
In summary, the 2018 Bibi Graetz Testamatta IGT is a highly acclaimed Sangiovese wine, noted for its complex aromas, vibrant palate, and potential for aging. It stands out for its meticulous production process and the use of old vines from organically farmed vineyards in Tuscany.