7 Stellar Tuscan Wines to Drink Proper Now
Italy—the world’s top wine-producing country—has 20 recognized wine region with Tuscany as possibly the best known and loved of the lot. Home to Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, and Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany is recognized for its red wines made from Sangiovese grapes, with Brunello di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva really catching the eye of collectors. These wines are made with 100 percent Sangiovese, age at least two years in oak, spend an additional four months in bottle prior to release, and may not be sold any sooner than five years after the harvest; riserva wines cannot be sold until six years. And of course we can’t forget about Super Tuscans, wines that are made using “French varieties” like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or even Syrah that may also be blended with Sangiovese.
Tuscan vintners have long produced whites also, but in recent visits we’ve seen the quality increase as they include more French (specifically Burgundian) winemaking techniques in their repertoire. While a chill remains in the air in New York City, we find ourselves still drinking Tuscan reds, but the promise of spring allows our wine choices to include heartier whites as well. Here are the Tuscans we’re enjoying most right now.
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Petrolo 2021 Boggina B Trebbiano Tuscany Italy
Petrolo has produced sweet wines made from Trebbiano Toscano grapes for years, but owner Luca Sanjust decided to bring in Mounir Saouma of famed Lucien Le Moine to make a dry Italian wine in the style of a Burgundian white. Made from 100 percent Trebbiano Toscano, this well-made wine is pale straw colored with aromas of citrus blossoms, lemon curd, quince, and Bartlett pear. It has nice heft on the mid palate with flavors of lemon blossom, peach, and white stone fruits and a substantial dose of minerality in the finish.
Buy Now: $100
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Monteverro 2019 Chardonnay Tuscany Italy
Monteverro makes one of Italy’s best Burgundian-style Chardonnays. Each vineyard plot is harvested separately, and the winemaking team chooses to use whole clusters in the fermentation tanks. The wine is aged sur lie for 14 months half in French oak barrels and half in concrete eggs. Brilliant gold in the glass, this wine has complex aromas of white peach, vanilla, tangerine, and beeswax and flavors of roasted hazelnuts, marzipan, yellow peach, and quince. It has a strong backbone of minerality and a long, long, finish.
Buy Now: $105
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Tenuta Luce 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Named for the bright sun in Montalcino, Tenuta Luce is currently run by Lamberto Frescobaldi and concentrates on making fine wines with the utmost respect for the terroir. The 615-acre estate is located at altitudes ranging between 750 and 1,370 feet and has 217 acres planted. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is intense ruby in color with aromas of tobacco leaf, dried cherry, red raspberry, and Asian spices with flavors of tart cherry, raspberry, and red currant. The tannins are bold and beautiful, and the finish goes on for days. The 2018 vintage is a bit higher in alcohol than earlier vintages with 15.5 percent ABV, but it is well balanced and well-integrated on the palate.
Buy Now: $160
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Bibi Graetz 2019 Colore 20th Anniversary Label Tuscany Italy
Bibi Graetz makes wine in a privileged location overlooking the city of Florence and we have been privileged to taste some of his amazing wines with him. He prefers to source his grapes from older vines and uses Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canailolo grapes to make this delightful and delicious wine. The 2019 vintage of Colore is made to celebrate his 20th anniversary and has aromas of black cherry, black currant, and a touch of dried Mediterranean herbs with flavors of ripe dark fruits, black plum, raspberry all wrapped in a velvety tannic sheath plus there’s a nice burst of acidity in the long, long finish.
Buy Now: $260
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Poggio di Sotto 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
The 2018 growing season was known for its intense heat, but summer rains at Poggio di Sotto minimized any harmful effects and thus the grapes at harvest had good concentration and intense aromatic complexity. This “little Brunello” is ruby in color with a violet rim and has aromas of bright cherry, red raspberry, and brown baking spices followed by flavors of dried cherry, concentrated pomegranate, and just a touch of forest floor. It is drinking perfectly right now and is big and generous on the palate with silky tannins and great persistence.
Buy Now: $125
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Boscarelli 2015 Il Nocio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Tuscany Italy
Vino Nobile de Montepulciano wines are made with grapes sourced from vineyards around the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany. They are generally Sangiovese but can also contain local varieties such as Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo. Wines made in Montepulciano are often confused with wines made from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo. This Boscarelli 2015 is crafted in Montepulciano and is drinking elegantly right now with aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, and crushed river rock. Soft, juicy tannins and a sturdy backbone of minerality are evident on the palate with flavors of dried cherry, red raspberry, and plum.
Buy Now: $160
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Tenuta di Trinoro 2021 Campo di Camagi Tuscany Italy
Since the rise of Super Tuscans in the 1970s, it’s becoming more common to find Cabernet Franc in Tuscany. Andrea Franchetti has been making excellent wines from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot since planting vines on his 494-acre estate in the 1990s. Deep garnet in the glass, this intriguing wine has aromas of bell pepper, black raspberry, and red plum with flavors of red cassis, black plum, and just a touch of forest floor in the complex finish.
Buy Now: $145
Authors
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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Source: Robb Report
