From an insignificant region to an international wine legend – in just five decades, the Tuscan coast has achieved what other regions dream of. What once began as an experiment in the hills of Bolgheri is now a symbol of Italian excellence. Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Guado al Tasso – names that have long been mentioned in the same breath as Bordeaux. Italy's "Gold Coast", as connoisseurs call it, stretches over 250 kilometres along the Tyrrhenian Sea, from the noble vineyards near Bolgheri via Suvereto to the elegant Sangiovese interpretations of the northern and southern peripheral areas.
In autumn 2025, the tasting team from the renowned gourmet magazine FALSTAFF took a close look at the current vintages from this fascinating region – and draws an impressive balance. 2021 is considered a great vintage, with a strong character, structure and classic balance – another milestone in the line of 2016 and 2019. 2022, on the other hand, showed how resilient the coastal vineyards have become: Despite the heat and drought, many wines retained freshness, precision and depth. And what about 2023? Everything is already pointing to another exceptional vintage: powerful, balanced and impressively elegant.
The secret of this success lies in the special geography: high light intensity, mild temperatures, constant breezes from the sea and soils of sand, clay and limestone create ideal conditions for Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese. The result is wines with polished tannins, rich fruit and impressive ageing potential – a combination of Mediterranean warmth and cool precision that is unmistakably typical of the west coast of Tuscany.
Discover the freshly rated FALSTAFF wines from this unique region now: immediately available, stored in climate-controlled warehouses and ready to enhance the autumn with Tuscan radiance. SUPERIORE.DE