The 7 Best Super Tuscans to Buy Right Now in 2026
Tenuta San Guido, Ornellaia, Tenuta di Arceno
Marchese Mario Incisa della Roccheta is widely credited for initiating the “Super Tuscan” movement. He and his wife carried Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Bordeaux when they moved to coastal Tuscany in the 1940s and planted them to make wine solely for personal family consumption. His wine garnered international acclaim when his relative Piero Antinori convinced him to sell to the general public, but the local wine DOC governing body was upset that he used French varieties instead of indigenous Italian grapes. As punishment he was forced to label these wines as vino da tavola, or table wine, but this did not stop his Sassicaia, nor similar wines made by his neighbors from obtaining cult status in the American market.
The DOC finally acquiesced in 1992 and permitted the “rogue” winemakers to label their wines IGT or indicazione geografica tipica and today we use the term Super Tuscan to refer to wines made outside the normal constraints of traditional Tuscan winemaking. Della Roccheta’s hometown of Bolgheri received its own DOC in 1994 that includes the Sassicaia Bolgheri DOC subzone. Many winemakers in Bolgheri and throughout Tuscany use nonindigenous grapes such as Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon either alone or in a blend. The term was originally created to mean “outside” or “above” but many wine lovers now use the superlative to refer to these fantastic, wonderful, and super wines. We totally agree and here are the seven best Super Tuscans to drink right now.
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Ornellaia 2023 Bolgheri DOC Superiore Rosso
Image Credit: Ornellaia Ornellaia was established in 1981 and is owned by the Frescobaldi family who have been making wine for over 700 years. In addition to excellent winemaking, the family is committed to sustainability and received Sustainable Organization certification in compliance with the SODP Equalitas standard in 2021. Ornellaia 2023 is a blend of 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 percent Merlot, 12 percent Cabernet Franc, and 7 percent Petit Verdot. It is a stunning wine with a complex bouquet offering ethereal aromas of blackberry, blueberry, toasted hazelnuts, and a lifted whiff of powdered cocoa. Voluptuous yet silky tannins support flavors of dried Mediterranean herbs, red cassis, black cherry, black plum, and blackberry. Drink now or hold for a few decades, you’ll be rewarded with an amazingly tasty wine either way.
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Tenuta di Arceno 2018 Arcanum
Image Credit: Tenuta di Arceno Tenuta di Arceno is located near the fork of two rivers, the Ambra, and the Ombrone, and is named for the Etruscan word meaning “point of origin.” Winemaking history in the area goes back to the 16th century when the estate was owned by the Del Taja family. It was purchased by the Piccolominis in 1829 and today it is owned by Barbara Banke of Jackson Family Wines. This delightful offering is 100 percent Cabernet Franc and has aromas of crushed violet petals, black cherry, and freshly ground black pepper. Supple tannins provide the backbone for bright acidity and flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut, anise seeds, and licorice root.
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Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2022 Bolgheri
Image Credit: Tenuta San Guido Tenuta San Guido is one of the founding estates in the Super Tuscan movement and it’s best known today for its famous Sassicaia wine. The name Sassicaia translates to “place of many stones” and refers to the pebbly and gravely soils found in the vineyards. This amazing bottle has aromas of lavender, red currant, black cherry, and a lifted note of mint. A blend of 88 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 12 percent Cabernet Franc, it has soft and round tannins that support flavors of red plum, cherry, and brown baking spices.
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Argentiera 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Bolgheri
Image Credit: Argentiera Located at the southernmost region of the Castagneto Carducci area in the Bolgheri DOC, Argentiera is named for ancient Etruscan silver mines found here. The overall estate covers 378 acres and boasts 210 of those under vine. Its 2021 is a Bordeaux style red blend composed of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 percent Merlot, and 10 percent Cabernet Franc. The bouquet is quite bold with spicy notes and aromas of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry. The tannins are soft and silky and highlight flavors of crème de cassis liqueur, black plum, and ripe cherry juice.
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Tenuta Sette Ponti 2022 Oreno
Image Credit: Tenuta Sette Ponti Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta first planted vines on this property in 1935 to celebrate his promotion to Viceroy of Ethiopa and subsequently named the vineyard “Vigna dell’Impero” or vineyard of the empire. The estate was then acquired by architect Alberto Moretti Cuseri in the 1950s and in 1998 his son Antonio released the family’s first wine, Crognolo. Oreno, a Bordeaux style blend, was first released in 1999 and since then Tenuta Setti Ponti has maintained a high level of quality. The 2022 is a blend of 45 percent Merlot, 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 percent Cabernet Franc, and 5 percent Petit Verdot. It has heady aromas of purple flowers, pencil lead and cassis that transform to flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and graphite layered in supple tannins.
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Tenuta di Trinoro 2023 Campo di Magnacosta
Image Credit: Tenuta di Trinoro Tenuta di Trinoro in the Val d’Orcia consists of just about 500 acres with only 60 acres of grapevines planted at altitudes of 1,500 to 1,640 feet. Andrea Franchetti chose to plant only Bordeaux varieties—with a majority of it Cabernet Franc. His 2023 Magnacosta is 100 percent of that grape and is fermented in stainless steel, then aged in wood barrel and cement tanks before blending. It offers aromas of black plum, brown baking spices, and crushed river rock that transition seamlessly to flavors of black raspberry, cassis, and red currant.
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Montepeloso 2023 Gabbro
Image Credit: Montepeloso Montepeloso is in the Maremma region of Tuscany near the medieval town of Suvereto and the Etruscan settlement of Populonia, just a few miles south of Bolgheri. Fabio Chiarelotto has guided Montepeloso since 1999, and Fabrizio Moltard became the winemaker in 2000. Their 2023 Gabbro is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and after fermentation is aged for 18 months in a combination of 80 percent new oak barrels and 400-liter barrels. It has aromas of black olive tapenade, pencil lead, brown baking spices, and cassis with flavors of blackberry, black licorice, plum, and black cherry.
