Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Antinori Tignanello is an intense ruby red wine with exceptional aromatic complexity. It opens with vibrant notes of ripe red fruits—especially cherries, strawberries, and blackberries—accompanied by delicate floral hints of violets, mallow blossoms, and roses. The bouquet is further enriched by subtle layers of roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and spices like pepper, licorice, and herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and layered, with a silky tannin structure and a fresh, lengthy finish, showcasing both finesse and power
About Winery
Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.
2022 | Vivino 4.5
An intensely complex profile displaying layers of dark cherry, ripe plum, dried rose, sweet tobacco, and earthy or iron-rich nuances.
About Winery
Valdicava is one of the most prestigious and highly acclaimed estates in Montalcino, Tuscany. Founded in 1953, the family-run winery is celebrated for producing powerful, deeply structured, and expressive Brunello di Montalcino from the highly coveted Montosoli subzone.
2016 | WA 98
The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a wine of extreme complexity and precision. It offers monumental depth with profound layers of black fruit, coffee, licorice and baking chocolate. I tasted this 2016 vintage beside the less-impactful 2015 vintage (which was reviewed last year). These two editions are very different when compared side to side, and this 2016 release is clearly superior in terms of the quality, clarity and intensity of its offerings. This Ornellaia delivers glossy shine and a polished texture that segues to important richness, concentration and textural fiber. It wraps thickly over the palate, imparting waves of sweet dark fruit and dark spice that linger for many long minutes.
2019 | JS 97
The aromas of blackcurrants, fresh basil and thyme, as well as cedar and sandalwood are so attractive. It’s full-bodied and very linear with tight tannins that draw you down the length of this young wine. Wet-earth and cool-stone undertones. It’s solid and so structured. A classic Ornellaia for the cellar.
About Winery
In 1981, Marchese Lodovico Antinori breathed new life into Tenuta dell' Ornellaia, an estate whose potential had been ignored for decades. With the help of Andre Tchelistcheff, the famous agronomist, Antinori planted the first French vines in Bolgheri, which lies in the heart of Tuscany's coastal region, Maremma. The estate yields some of the finest Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in Tuscany. In 2002, Marchesi de' Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi became owners of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, which is now owned exclusively by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi.
Ornellaia has established itself among the iconic wine estates in Italy (and beyond). The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate’s unique terroir in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. The combination of Bolgheri’s unique soils and growing conditions, and what can only be characterized as a total obsession with excellence, result in the world-class wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc that so many wine lovers across the world have come to cherish.
Ornellaia employs a full time team of 80 people whose passion and motivation make Ornellaia what it is today. No shortcuts in the part of the production are allowed and the details literally come down to a grape by grape basis. Wines are intently crafted to capture the character of each vintage, in all its complexity and facets. In fact, the character and intricacies of each individual vintage are so important to the estate that since vintage 2006, Winemaker and Estate Director Axel Heinz has identified a single word that captures the character of each vintage, and that word is interpreted by a contemporary artist who produces special labels and a site-specific work of art that remains part of the estate’s permanent collection.
In addition to its place among Italy’s iconic wines, Ornellaia is also an ambassador for the Bolgheri region, leading it to be recognized as one of Italy’s greatest winegrowing regions. It is their belief, and it is hard to argue, that Bogheri’s mild maritime climate and diversity of soils create wines as distinct, complex and pleasurable as any in the world.
2021 | WS 95
This ripe style is fresh and harmonious, delivering plum, cherry and boysenberry fruit, with accents of earth, iron and eucalyptus. Supple in texture, with a beautifully integrated structure and long, complex aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
About Winery
Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.
2019 | WA 97
The 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is made with 25% Cabernet Franc, with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. That this heat-resistant grape now makes up a quarter of the blend speaks to how vintners are gearing up to counter climate change. These are intelligent choices, and you can count on this wine to maintain that level of extreme elegance and intensity that it is known for (even when Merlot was a bigger part of the blend). Indeed, this is a new and improved Guado al Tasso with focused aromas of pencil shaving, white pepper and crushed stone that frame a rich core of black fruit.
2020 | WA 96
The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.
Winery History
While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.
2015 | JS 98
Elegant, structured, with cassis, cedar, and bay leaf notes.
2019 | D 100
Praised for purity, balance, and resemblance to legendary vintages of the 1980s.
About Winery
The Tenuta San Guido is a 7,500-acre estate located in the province of Livorno on the western coastal outskirts of Tuscany near the village of Bolgheri. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta acquired it through his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca in 1940.
The legacy of Sassicaia began in 1944, when Mario Incisa acquired a number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc vine cuttings and planted them on a sloping hillside of the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello after the 11th-century castle at the vineyard's upper edge. This tiny, 3.75-acre vineyard stood alone until 1965, when a second Cabernet vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Castiglioncello parcel; the gravelly, 30-acre plot would give the wine its name: Sassicaia, "the place of many stones".
With the radical changes in the D.O.C. system of regulations as of the 1994 vintage, Sassicaia's extraordinary reputation was acknowledged through the Italian government's granting the wine its own appellation.
Sassicaia is today considered to be the new plus ultra of Italy's great red wines for its consistent excellence and its intuitive spirit. Acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia remains the legacy of its creator, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and his son, Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta.
2012 | JS 95
A hail-affected year but still produced a structured, elegant wine with notes of dark berries, chocolate, and spice.
2019 | JS 97
20th Anniversary bottling. Praised for refinement, plush tannins, and long aging potential.
2020 | Decanter 97
Bright, floral, and ethereal style with wild strawberry and rose notes. Considered one of the most elegant Testamattas.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
2015 | RP 97
Considered a structured, long-lived wine with firm tannins and elegance.
2018 | JS 99
Known for intensity, floral notes, and balance
2019 | Vinous 96
From very old, high-altitude vineyards; praised for depth and purity.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso is defined by a richer, more concentrated profile than the 2019, reflecting a warmer growing season that resulted in a "luscious" and opulent Bolgheri Superiore. The nose is dominated by ripe blackcurrants, maraschino cherries, and sweet spices, underpinned by the estate’s signature notes of Mediterranean scrub, dark chocolate, and a touch of toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is voluptuous and broad, featuring thick, velvety tannins and a powerful structure that maintains balance through a surprising vein of saline acidity. While it offers immediate "wow factor" with its deep fruit density and 14.5% alcohol, critics note that its long, spicy finish suggests a wine built for serious cellar aging, likely hitting its peak between 2028 and 2045.
Winery History
While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.
Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso is a masterclass in Bolgheri elegance, characterized by its refined energy and a distinct aromatic lift thanks to a significant 25% Cabernet Franc component. On the nose, it offers an alluring mix of black plums, licorice, and mocha, accented by sophisticated notes of dried mint and crushed graphite. The palate is full-bodied and seamless, trading raw power for a velvety, linear structure and a savory, mineral-driven finish that lingers with hints of toasted spice. Currently entering its ideal drinking window, this vintage is celebrated by critics as a benchmark for its precision and "cool" Mediterranean character, though it still benefits from a two-hour decant to fully unfurl its complex layers.
Winery History
While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.
Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva is a vibrant and elegant wine with an intense ruby red color. On the nose, it reveals layered aromas of black cherries, red fruit, and floral hints, complemented by sweet impressions of powdered sugar, cinnamon, and dill, adding a pleasantly spicy nuance. The palate is taut and mouthfilling, with supple tannins and a lengthy, savory finish. Additional tasting notes highlight flavors of black plums, ripe red cherries, spices, and tobacco, supported by a salty mineral edge and a touch of earthy dried herbs, making it a standout wine from a vintage considered one of the best in Chianti Classico history.
About Winery
Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.
Winemaker Notes
Imani Prosecco by Bernard Magrez is a fresh and elegant sparkling wine with a pale straw color and fine bubbles. It opens with delicate floral aromas and notes of green apple and pear, leading to a crisp, fruity palate with hints of citrus. The texture is smooth and lively, offering a refreshing mouthfeel and a clean, slightly mineral finish. Perfect as an aperitif, it pairs well with light dishes like seafood or soft cheeses.
About Winery
Imani Prosecco by Bernard Magrez is produced in the Prosecco D.O.C. region of northeastern Italy, nestled between the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea. This area is known for its ideal climate for growing Glera grapes, which are used to make Prosecco. The winery follows the Charmat method for fermentation, where the second fermentation occurs in closed tanks to preserve the wine’s freshness and fruit-forward character.
Bernard Magrez, a French wine magnate, brings his philosophy of excellence and sustainability to this Italian venture. The Imani label reflects his commitment to crafting wines that embody cultural heritage and the art of living. The winery emphasizes environmental stewardship, aiming to preserve the terroir and ensure a sustainable future for wine production.
Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva is a vibrant and elegant wine with an intense ruby red color. On the nose, it reveals layered aromas of black cherries, red fruit, and floral hints, complemented by sweet impressions of powdered sugar, cinnamon, and dill, adding a pleasantly spicy nuance. The palate is taut and mouthfilling, with supple tannins and a lengthy, savory finish. Additional tasting notes highlight flavors of black plums, ripe red cherries, spices, and tobacco, supported by a salty mineral edge and a touch of earthy dried herbs, making it a standout wine from a vintage considered one of the best in Chianti Classico history.
About Winery
Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Antinori Tignanello is an intense ruby red wine with exceptional aromatic complexity. It opens with vibrant notes of ripe red fruits—especially cherries, strawberries, and blackberries—accompanied by delicate floral hints of violets, mallow blossoms, and roses. The bouquet is further enriched by subtle layers of roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and spices like pepper, licorice, and herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and layered, with a silky tannin structure and a fresh, lengthy finish, showcasing both finesse and power
About Winery
Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.
Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Fèlsina Fontalloro is a highly-regarded Tuscan Sangiovese known for its deep ruby color and complex aromas. Winemakers note its rich, intense tones, including notes of aromatic herbs, tobacco, wet earth, black currant, and licorice. The palate is described as having good consistency with medium-smooth tannins, a rich structure, and an elegant finish
About Winery
Fèlsina Fontalloro is a renowned Italian red wine, specifically a Toscana IGT, crafted by Fèlsina winery. It's a highly-regarded expression of Sangiovese, known for its structure, depth, and aging potential. The wine is characterized by a rich ruby red color, complex aromas of herbs, blackcurrant, licorice, and earthy notes like tobacco and dry earth. On the palate, it offers a smooth, medium-bodied texture with firm tannins, balancing acidity, and a long, mineral finish.
Winemaker Notes
2016 represents another immensely successful vintage highlighting all the virtues of Bolgheri’s climate: abundant sunshine without excessive heat, a dry summer to allow the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness and concentration, and just about enough rain to avoid stress. All these elements combine to yield a wine that shows lush ripeness and crisp firmness, opposing forces creating a certain raciness we like to describe as ‘tension’.
About Winery
In 1981, Marchese Lodovico Antinori breathed new life into Tenuta dell' Ornellaia, an estate whose potential had been ignored for decades. With the help of Andre Tchelistcheff, the famous agronomist, Antinori planted the first French vines in Bolgheri, which lies in the heart of Tuscany's coastal region, Maremma. The estate yields some of the finest Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in Tuscany. In 2002, Marchesi de' Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi became owners of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, which is now owned exclusively by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi.
Ornellaia has established itself among the iconic wine estates in Italy (and beyond). The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate’s unique terroir in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. The combination of Bolgheri’s unique soils and growing conditions, and what can only be characterized as a total obsession with excellence, result in the world-class wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc that so many wine lovers across the world have come to cherish.
Ornellaia employs a full time team of 80 people whose passion and motivation make Ornellaia what it is today. No shortcuts in the part of the production are allowed and the details literally come down to a grape by grape basis. Wines are intently crafted to capture the character of each vintage, in all its complexity and facets. In fact, the character and intricacies of each individual vintage are so important to the estate that since vintage 2006, Winemaker and Estate Director Axel Heinz has identified a single word that captures the character of each vintage, and that word is interpreted by a contemporary artist who produces special labels and a site-specific work of art that remains part of the estate’s permanent collection.
In addition to its place among Italy’s iconic wines, Ornellaia is also an ambassador for the Bolgheri region, leading it to be recognized as one of Italy’s greatest winegrowing regions. It is their belief, and it is hard to argue, that Bogheri’s mild maritime climate and diversity of soils create wines as distinct, complex and pleasurable as any in the world.
Winemaker Notes
With an intense ruby-red colour, Ornellaia 2019 has a bouquet full of intriguing spicy and balsamic notes, including aromas of black pepper, sage, and aromatic herbs. The wine is both full-bodied and vibrant in the mouth, filling the palate with its dense and elegant tannic texture and ending with a persistent and beautifully crisp finish.
About Winery
In 1981, Marchese Lodovico Antinori breathed new life into Tenuta dell' Ornellaia, an estate whose potential had been ignored for decades. With the help of Andre Tchelistcheff, the famous agronomist, Antinori planted the first French vines in Bolgheri, which lies in the heart of Tuscany's coastal region, Maremma. The estate yields some of the finest Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc in Tuscany. In 2002, Marchesi de' Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi became owners of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, which is now owned exclusively by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi.
Ornellaia has established itself among the iconic wine estates in Italy (and beyond). The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate’s unique terroir in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. The combination of Bolgheri’s unique soils and growing conditions, and what can only be characterized as a total obsession with excellence, result in the world-class wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc that so many wine lovers across the world have come to cherish.
Ornellaia employs a full time team of 80 people whose passion and motivation make Ornellaia what it is today. No shortcuts in the part of the production are allowed and the details literally come down to a grape by grape basis. Wines are intently crafted to capture the character of each vintage, in all its complexity and facets. In fact, the character and intricacies of each individual vintage are so important to the estate that since vintage 2006, Winemaker and Estate Director Axel Heinz has identified a single word that captures the character of each vintage, and that word is interpreted by a contemporary artist who produces special labels and a site-specific work of art that remains part of the estate’s permanent collection.
In addition to its place among Italy’s iconic wines, Ornellaia is also an ambassador for the Bolgheri region, leading it to be recognized as one of Italy’s greatest winegrowing regions. It is their belief, and it is hard to argue, that Bogheri’s mild maritime climate and diversity of soils create wines as distinct, complex and pleasurable as any in the world.
Winemaker Notes
The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive. The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe.
About Winery
The Tenuta San Guido is a 7,500-acre estate located in the province of Livorno on the western coastal outskirts of Tuscany near the village of Bolgheri. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta acquired it through his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca in 1940.
The legacy of Sassicaia began in 1944, when Mario Incisa acquired a number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc vine cuttings and planted them on a sloping hillside of the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello after the 11th-century castle at the vineyard's upper edge. This tiny, 3.75-acre vineyard stood alone until 1965, when a second Cabernet vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Castiglioncello parcel; the gravelly, 30-acre plot would give the wine its name: Sassicaia, "the place of many stones".
With the radical changes in the D.O.C. system of regulations as of the 1994 vintage, Sassicaia's extraordinary reputation was acknowledged through the Italian government's granting the wine its own appellation.
Sassicaia is today considered to be the new plus ultra of Italy's great red wines for its consistent excellence and its intuitive spirit. Acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia remains the legacy of its creator, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and his son, Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta.
Winemaker Notes
The wine's careful balance is achieved thanks to the nuanced character of the fruit, the present acidity, the well-managed structure and the contained alcohol. The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive.
The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe. Overall, the 2018 Sassicaia weighs in with a svelte frame and long persistence. Moreover, it is distinguished by the archetypal elegance and pedigree of the classic vintages of the past. This new release gives you much pleasure to await.Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
About Winery
The Tenuta San Guido is a 7,500-acre estate located in the province of Livorno on the western coastal outskirts of Tuscany near the village of Bolgheri. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta acquired it through his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca in 1940.
The legacy of Sassicaia began in 1944, when Mario Incisa acquired a number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc vine cuttings and planted them on a sloping hillside of the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello after the 11th-century castle at the vineyard's upper edge. This tiny, 3.75-acre vineyard stood alone until 1965, when a second Cabernet vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Castiglioncello parcel; the gravelly, 30-acre plot would give the wine its name: Sassicaia, "the place of many stones".
With the radical changes in the D.O.C. system of regulations as of the 1994 vintage, Sassicaia's extraordinary reputation was acknowledged through the Italian government's granting the wine its own appellation.
Sassicaia is today considered to be the new plus ultra of Italy's great red wines for its consistent excellence and its intuitive spirit. Acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia remains the legacy of its creator, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and his son, Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta.
Winemaker Notes
Intense, concentrated and deep ruby-colored, this wine offers elegant, complex aromas of red fruit. In the mouth it is rich and dense, yet harmonious, with sweet, balanced tannins. The wine has a long finish with a depth and structure that ensure its extraordinary longevity.
About Winery
The Tenuta San Guido is a 7,500-acre estate located in the province of Livorno on the western coastal outskirts of Tuscany near the village of Bolgheri. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta acquired it through his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca in 1940.
The legacy of Sassicaia began in 1944, when Mario Incisa acquired a number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc vine cuttings and planted them on a sloping hillside of the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello after the 11th-century castle at the vineyard's upper edge. This tiny, 3.75-acre vineyard stood alone until 1965, when a second Cabernet vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Castiglioncello parcel; the gravelly, 30-acre plot would give the wine its name: Sassicaia, "the place of many stones".
With the radical changes in the D.O.C. system of regulations as of the 1994 vintage, Sassicaia's extraordinary reputation was acknowledged through the Italian government's granting the wine its own appellation.
Sassicaia is today considered to be the new plus ultra of Italy's great red wines for its consistent excellence and its intuitive spirit. Acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia remains the legacy of its creator, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and his son, Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta.
Winemaker Notes
Bibi Graetz Testamatta offers aromas of prune, dried flowers, porcini and cedar lead to a full body, with velvety tannins and lots of ripe fruit and milk chocolate. Long and very soft, yet powerful.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
Winemaker Notes
Bibi Graetz has long been tinkering with his formula for this wine, and this vintage represents a new chapter. The 2020 Testamatta is a blend of Sangiovese from old and new vines, with a priority on cooler growing conditions (and even a few northern exposures). In the wake of climate change, and in the pursuit of elegance, Bibi is changing his approach. He also has a new vineyard property near Fiesole, and the introduction of these grapes (from a breezy, high-elevation site) are what gives Testamatta its beautiful clarity, sharpness and lifted bouquet. The new Fiesole fruit makes up about 30% to 35% of this wine. The results are vibrant, transparent and fresh both in terms of acidity and aromatic intensity. This is a wine in transformation and a wine to watch.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
Winemaker Notes
Elegance, this is the word that describes Testamatta 2019. The 20th Anniversary of Testamatta is a real milestone, the peak of quality that I was searching in my Sangiovese since the first vintage in 2000. Testamatta 2019 is perfectly balanced with deep layers which shown an incredible complexity.
"Testamatta" – "crazy-head" in Italian - is the best word to describe Bibi Graetz: a positive, creative and passionate person. Testamatta wine expresses the purity, minerality and transparency of Sangiovese from old vines on the top of the hills characterized by soils rich of stones. A Super tuscan made with 100% Sangiovese, result of the combination of tradition and creativity.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
Winemaker Notes
Colore is the highest expression of Bibi Graetz dream. The drive of this wine is to create a pure excellence of Tuscany, a wine made with traditional Tuscan grapes sourced from some of the oldest and rarest vineyards of the region. Sangiovese represent the structure and the power of the wine, Colorino fruits and velvety tannins, Canaiolo minerality and intensity. On the best few barrels of the whole production will become Colore.
About Winery
From a medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, acquired by his parents over 60 years ago, winemaker Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking the great city of Florence. Beginning initially with only a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole, in little under two decades, Bibi has become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier.
Since the release of his first wines in 2000 and without any formal training, Bibi Graetz has managed to stir-up the Tuscan wine scene, and with the creation of Testamatta and Colore, has made his name eponymous with great Tuscan wines. Regularly scoring in the high 90’s with wine publications like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling, coupled with his unique and artisanal winemaking approach, Bibi Graetz’s wines have garnered a loyal following among wine collectors and wine trade.
Sourcing grapes from parcels of old vines around Tuscany give the Bibi reds great depth and soul; while grapes from vines on the Isola del Giglio have provided proof that Tuscany can be known for beautiful white wines as well. This affinity for old vines allows for the concentrated yet elegant wines of Bibi Graetz making this portfolio a collectible from Tuscan producers. His passion for producing his flagship wines exclusively from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites have resulted in very distinctive wines that consistently set his wines apart from those from the rest of Tuscany, and Italy.
