Supertuscan

The grapes of this Supertuscan come from the San Giovanni vineyard near San Giovanni a Cerreto. In the church next to the vineyard there is a painting by Rutilo Manetti depicting Saint John the Baptist (San Giovanni). Deep ruby red, youthful, rich, dark fruit, berry and cassis aromas merge with the French oak. On the palate with deep, subtle fruit aromas and an excellent balance of fruit and tannin, plus some smoke, liquorice and tar. A rich, almost luxuriant red with excellent structure and great ripening potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Valdisanti is based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. This is a beautiful expression with a full and generous disposition. The wine opens to a dark garnet color and thick consistency. You very much taste the Cabernet in this vintage, with dark fruit aromas backed by savory spice and smoke. This wine shows slight tertiary aromas as well that add to the background complexity and texture." Robert Parker

"Aromas of licorice, tar and berry follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a savory finish. Rich and powerful." James Suckling

Deep ruby red. Clearly defined bouquet with beautiful herbal spice. In the glass then a deep dark fruit and a very round body, fine acid play and polished tannin. A classic representative of the noble appellation Bolgheri with an extremely harmonious overall impression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Warm bouquet of blackberries and chocolate; the tannins are polished, full-bodied, racy and supple. To saddle of venison with mushrooms." Vinum

"There is lots of bright cherry fruit and bright intensity in the 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Passi di Orma. Its bold and ripe primary fruit is very enjoyable, if simple, but then the wine unfolds with charm. This is a blend of 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. It sees a brief six months in French barrique. You get loads of richness and dark fruit, packaged with slightly less formal appeal." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Passi di Orma is a lovely second wine from Orma. Sweet red cherry, mint, blood orange and pomegranate are all pushed forward. Silky and pliant, with lovely fruit purity, this radiant, juicy Maremma red is absolutely delicious. It should drink well for at least another handful of years." VINOUS

"A little loosely knitted right now, but it shows freshness and brightness. Medium to full body with firm tannins." James Suckling

Deep purple. Spicy Cabernet nose of herbs, fine blackberry notes, some chocolate and forest raspberries; a pronounced fruit carries this monumental wine until the long finish, the tannins give a stable framework and give this wonderful Supertuscan a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"The estate’s top wine, the 2010 Roccato is a 50-50 expression of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon that opens with a dark ruby-garnetcolor and a pretty aromatic display that spans from dried berry andcassis to exotic spice and dried garden herb. This is without a doubt Rocca delle Macie’s most complete and complex wine and the encouraging results of the 2010 vintage are on full display here. The bouquet is especially buoyant and bright. In the mouth, however, the wine offersdensity, firmness and menthol-laced freshness." Robert Parker

"A wine with shaved chocolate and currants. Full body, fine tannins and a lightly chewy finish." James Suckling

Rapace - a great blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet - exudes a spicy fragrance of dark red berries. Hearty and rich taste, with a fine balance of soft tannins and a pleasant acid wire. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh and clean red with cherry, strawberry and light vanilla character. Medium body. Crisp finish." James Suckling

Piastraia fully corresponds to the classic image of a great Bolgheri Rosso Superiore. Prepared from a quarter each of Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, it fills the glass with its intense fragrance of fruits and a hint of leather aromas. Strong, concentrated and pure taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Flower of raspberries, flowers and herbs; in the mouth compact, the tannins robust and well integrated, vife acidity, the final to notes of red berries and Mediterranean macchia. Successful." Vinum

"The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Piastraia tastes open and ready from the get-go, with bright cherry and wild rose aromas followed by campfire ash and tilled earth. Piastraia is a historic blend by Michele Satta composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah. Keeping in the house style, the wine is remarkably smooth and elegant with a mid-weight approach that feels zesty and tonic to the palate." Robert Parker

"This shows real purity of fruit with currants and blackberries, complementing the orange-peel and stone character. Full body, firm and intense tannins with focus and purity that I really love. This needs four to five years to come together, but already a winner." James Suckling

A balsamic and enveloping bouquet, rich and mature Cassis scent, concentrated and deep on the palate, present tannins, nice juiciness and freshness, long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Full, dark ruby. Intense, present nose, smells of plums, cassis and mulberries, freshly chopped meat. The materiality of the base and course unfolds with notes of pomegranate, blueberry and plum, nice cardamom spice and a rich finish in the finale." Falstaff

"San Felice's 2013 Vigorello is a blend of Pugnitello, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Grilled herbs, lavender, mint, black cherry all flesh out in this deep, flavorful red. Silky tannins wrap around a core of plush fruit. This is an especially dense, rich style." Antonio Galloni

"The 2013 Vigorello is made with Bordeaux grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) blended with 35% of the recently rediscovered Pugnitello grape that was once more commonly planted across Central Italy. This is a dark and robust expression that boasts a very sharp and focused aromatic presentation. Like other wines from this classic vintage, this Tuscan red feels compacted and extra tight on the palate. It needs another few years before it fully opens and softens." Robert Parker

"A fine and silky cabernet-based red with currant and rose bush aromas and flavors. Medium body, integrated tannins and a silky finish." James Suckling

Lemartine, a striking blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, shines in a stunningly beautiful red. Dark fruity aromas, pomegranate and cinnamon emanate from its dense, expressive bouquet and continue on the palate. Refined opulence and a Supertoscan in pure culture! SUPERIORE.DE

"A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Petit Verdot, the Poggio Antico 2017 Lemartine achieves one important goal. It delivers loads of Tuscan charm packaged neatly into one very approachable and forthcoming wine. You get generous purple and black fruit flavors. The hot growing season has no doubt contributed to the immediately soft and fruity character of the blend. Perhaps this hot vintage expression lacks more meaningful depth or width, however the wine drinks beautifully straight out of the gate and would pair with a classic Tuscan dish of pappardelle with wild boar ragù."

"Dark plums, cedar, tobacco and dried spices. Medium body, ripe and round tannins and a medium-chewy finish. Shows good intensity and focus." James Suckling

Guidalberto is no longer in the shadow of his "over-father" Sassicaia. Since it has been vinified from its own vineyards, most of which also grow in the Sassicaia DOC monopoly, it has almost outgrown itself. Spicy, earthy bouquet with hints of tobacco, clove and lavender, dense and juicy on the palate with fresh red and black berries. The tannins are well dosed and the finish complex with a majestic elegance that refines with the years of bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Playful spicy-fruity flower; on the palate pithy with firm tannins, the aftertaste to rich notes of black cherries and bitter almonds. "A fine second wine from the Sassicaia producer. Vinum

"Deep black-purple. Opulent, plum, cassis and some fresh earth. Clove, cinnamon and some toasted almond oak. Much fuller-bodied than the Le Difese, with ripe plum and cassis fruit. Plenty of polish here, though pretty embryonic in form. Very fine-grained tannins, though not the greatest density of them. The fruit slips away quite quickly, but there’s a long line of spice and savouriness that does come through. Perhaps once bottled, the fruit will hold through as far too." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Guidalberto is dark, sumptuous and quite powerful. Even with the extremes of the punishing growing season, the 2017 comes through beautifully, showing remarkable clarity and precision. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice notes are pushed forward, but it is the wine's structure that gives energy and a real sense of direction. Time in the glass brings out an attractive red berry and floral character that adds freshness." VINOUS

"A youthful, sinewy red, with plum, black cherry, cedar and spice flavors wrapped in a thick texture and mouthcoating tannins. Stays vivid and long on the finish, where the sweet, ripe fruit prevails." Wine Spectator

"A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2017 Guidalberto appeals to the more informal side of sophisticated drinking. By that I mean it makes a great choice at lunch or for family dinners. Despite the accessibility and dense concentration of the fruit, especially evident in a warm vintage such as this, the wine's pedigree is evident in terms of the careful management of the structure and acidity. My samples were a little closed at first and needed some extra coaxing. Once open, the wine shows the dark fruit and exuberance of this hot vintage in Tuscany." Robert Parker

"Subtle aromas of cedar, cassis, tobacco and a whiff of camphor slowly take shape in the glass. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the tightly knit, elegant palate delivers dried black cherry, red currant, blood orange and licorice while fine-grained tannins provide tight support. It closes on a coffee-bean note." Wine Enthusiast

"Fresh herbs, cedar, black raspberries, orange peel and citrus. Very balanced and focused on the palate, thanks to cutting acidity, but with firm, chewy tannins that envelop a plethora of red fruit." James Suckling

Smells intensely of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. On the palate it is rich and flowing, all the elements merge into a great, distinctive wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, deep dark ruby with a lot of violet. Compact nose with pronounced notes of blackcurrant and ripe blackberries, underpinned by notes of liquorice and soot. In the beginning much dark berry fruit, also liquorice, opens then with much substantial, dense tannin, firm pressure, in the aftertaste earthy notes, in the finale slightly herbaceous." Falstaff

"Walnuts, coffee beans, dark fruit and a bark undertone. Full body, soft and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Lovely, chewy texture." James Suckling

"An intense red, boasting an expressive range of kirsch, raspberry, floral, mineral and spice flavors, nicely offset by a vibrant structure. All the elements come together on the lingering aftertaste. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon." Wine Spectator

"The 2014 Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi's Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is another compelling wine in this range. Today, the Geremia is perhaps a bit austere, but at least some of that is attributable to the personality of the vintage. Time in the glass brings out an attractive range of sage, menthol, licorice and dark red/purplish fruit. I very much like the energy and drive here." Antonio Galloni

Deep dark cherry red with violet glow at the edge. In the nose aromas of spices such as rosemary and thyme, with fruity notes of blackcurrant and cherry. On the palate blackberry, cherry, fresh plum and cranberry, wonderful cassis note and dark chocolate in the long finish. Modern Tuscan, stylistically rigorous according to French pattern. SUPERIORE.DE

"Blueberries, eldeberries, violets and Chinese spices make for a very pretty nose. Medium body, tightly worked tannins and a deliciously spicy and mineral finish." James Suckling

"Offering a slightly more direct and approachable style, this wine delivers the extra richness and density that you can expect of this beautifully warm and luminous vintage. The fruit is dark and rich with black currant and dried plum, backed by exotic spice and toast." Robert Parker

Smells intensely of currants and black cherries, leather, spices and liquorice. On the palate lush and flowing, all elements merge to a great, distinctive wine. Great potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Extremely dense, sparkling ruby. Very intense, fleshy nose, much dark currant, some elderberries overlaid by fine cocoa notes and tobacco. Has great tension, lots of dense tannin, close meshed, lots of blackberry, cassis, very substantial." Falstaff

"The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi's Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia." Vinous

The first wine composition directed by Sting and logically named after one of his most famous songs. Dark ruby red, complex nose and intense cherry fruit on the palate with hints of spices, very harmonious and long. Well integrated wood does not make this red by any means heavy or one-dimensional, but rounds off the pleasure on the palate masterfully and long with beautifully integrated tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is the top-shelf wine from musician Sting's Tenuta Il Palagio. The 2015 Sister Moon is a mid-weight wine with rich and dark concentration. The wine represents a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot culled from vineyards scattered around the estate. The bouquet is rich and bold with aromas of Spanish cedar, camphor ash and spice, all surrounding a core of dark fruit. The wine is balanced and carefully large in scope. It makes a big impression in the mouth but ultimately delivers an elegant sign off." Robert Parker

"Blueberry and violet aromas and flavors highlight this sappy red. Compact and succulent, this extends on the finish, with notes of black currant, graphite and sweet spices." Wine Spectator

"Really enticing aromas of fresh flowers and dark fruit, as well as fresh herbs. Full body, chewy tannins and a rich finish. This is layered and provocative. From organically grown grapes. Give it two or three years of bottle age to come together." James Suckling