“Saffredi” Rosso Toscana IGT 2023 · 6 bottles in OWC

Fattoria Le Pupille | Tuscany
Az. Agr. Fattoria Le Pupille | Piagge Del Maiano 92 A | IT 58100 Grosseto

09232823 · 4,5 l · 134,22 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping10 units available

There are wines that define a region. Saffredi is one of them. When Elisabetta Geppetti, in 1987 – in her mid-twenties and driven by a vision to bring the sleepy Maremma to world fame – created this wine together with the legendary Giacomo Tachis, nobody could have imagined that a Super Tuscan was being born here, one that would rival Sassicaia and Tignanello. The name is a loving tribute to Fredi, Elisabetta's father-in-law Alfredo Gentili, who sparked her passion for wine and, in the 1980s, planted the five-hectare vineyard from which the grapes for Saffredi are still sourced today. The Saffredi single vineyard near Pereta lies at an altitude of 250 metres, facing south-west for the old vines and south-east for the newer plantings. The soil is the result of millions of years of geological processes: of sandstone origin, rich in calcareous marl and iron minerals, low in organic matter, with clay layers only appearing at a depth of 30 centimetres. On clear days, the view from here sweeps across the hills to the Mediterranean, 25 kilometres away – a proximity to the coast that lends the wine its distinctive freshness and vibrancy.

Saffredi 2023 combines Cabernet Sauvignon (60 per cent), Merlot (35 per cent) and Petit Verdot (5 per cent) in a blend of precise elegance. Maceration lasts 30 to 45 days at a controlled temperature of 26 degrees, before the wine is aged for 18 months in French barriques – 70% of which are new barrels, made to measure for the estate. The coopers visit in person, taste the wine alongside Ettore Geppetti, Elisabetta's son, and determine a minimal level of toasting that must never overpower the wine. After a further six months of bottle ageing, the Saffredi is ready to enchant its audience.

In the glass, a deep ruby red with purple highlights. The nose is one of majestic elegance: intense black cherry, cassis, blackberries and blueberries, enveloped by mint, creamy vanilla, sandalwood and lavender. Graphite and pencil lead, a hint of tobacco and cigar box, delicate herbs, toasted precious wood – an aromatic explosion that exudes Pauillac class. On the palate, full-bodied power unfolds with fine-grained, polished tannins of a silky texture. The fruit is deep and multi-layered, underpinned by a precise structure and that dark, dense minerality that springs from the fossil-rich soils of the Maremma. The finish is linear, energetic and with unrelenting momentum – a wine that lingers for minutes on end and is captivating even in its youth, yet can age for a decade or more. A wine that proves why Elisabetta Geppetti has gone down in the history of Tuscan wine culture as the "Lady of Morellino" – and why, year after year, the Saffredi remains an event not to be missed... SUPERIORE.DE

"A bright, luminous ruby red. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe cherries, wild berries, clay and candle wax, along with subtle balsamic notes, mint and sage. On the palate, it is juicy and firm, with plenty of tannins and power, it displays considerable vigour and grip, yet has plenty of everything, still very young." Falstaff

"The 2023 Saffredi is an elegant, refined wine. Preserved cherry, mocha, dried herbs, menthol, liquorice, blackberry and tobacco effortlessly fill the layers. The 2023 is not quite as explosive as some of the recent vintages, but its overall approachability more than makes up for this." Vinous

"A lively and concentrated wine with aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, fresh rosemary, sage, thyme and lavender. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a crisp finish. Shows excellent length." James Suckling

"The 'rebirth' of Saffredi in 2022 continues with this 2023 vintage, a wetter year that brings out the flavours even more beautifully. Herbal and ripe dark fruit aromas are reminiscent of the surrounding countryside. Lively and crisp on the palate, it is well-balanced with notes of crisp dark cherries, blackberries and raspberries, subtle spicy notes and round, silky tannins. There is a distinct floral note – potpourri, violets and Mediterranean herbs – combined with a hint of saltiness, creating a broodingdrinking experience full of dynamism and contrasts." Decanter

"The Fattoria Le Pupille 2023 Saffredi is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. It is a classic expression of a fresh vintage which, despite the threat of mildew in the middle of the season, performed far better than expected. The estate continues to refine its use of oak to emphasise the brightness and purity of the fruit, a shift that is particularly evident here. The wine displays notes of dark cherries, ripe blackberries, spices and a hint of creamy chocolate. Whilst the 2022 vintage was characterised by more pronounced tannins, this vintage is defined by its generosity and lush fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon in particular comes across as crisp, youthful and fresh, lending the wine energy and vigour." Wine Advocate