10/04/2024
The Super Tuscans You Need to Know!
While there’s no set definition for a Super Tuscan, and there are many that could take the title.
Sassicaia.
The first Super Tuscan, made by Tenuta San Guido, in Bolgheri; blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and is the only single estate in the whole of Italy to have its own DOC, "Bolgheri-Sassicaia".
Tignanello.
A rival to Sassicaia in terms of fame, and by famed Piero Antinori, Tignanello comes from Chianti (first to blend Sangiovese with Cabernet).
Solaia.
Tignanello’s sibling, with Cabernet taking the lead and complemented by a smaller proportion of Sangiovese.
Ornellaia.
Created by Piero Antinori’s brother Lodovico, with advice from André Tchelistcheff, it’s a Cabernet-led Bordeaux blend.
Masseto.
The other wine created by Lodovico Antinori: Tchelistcheff identified the hill of Masseto ideal for Merlot and bottled as a pure Merlot for the first time in 1986. Today Masseto operates independently from the Ornellaia estate.
Grattamacco.
Another of the earliest Super Tuscans, this is Cabernet blended with Sangiovese. Piermario Meletti Cavallari purchased an abandoned vineyard in 1977 which was all Sangiovese, but he later grafted over with Cabernet. He was one of the first producers to feature Bolgheri on the label of his wine.
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte.
This was one of the earliest expressions of pure Sangiovese from Chianti, aged in French and Slovenian oak. The first vintage of this was 1977, a blend of fruit from the estate’s best vineyards.
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve.
The first vintage of Flaccianello was 1981. Originally a single-vineyard expression, since 2001 it’s been a blend of the best grapes from the estate, but remains 100% Sangiovese, classified as Colli Toscana Centrale. The proportion of new oak has been toned down, and a portion of the wine goes into amphora.
Isole e Olena Cepparello.
This pure Sangiovese was first made in 1980, and today only sees around a third new oak, with a small proportion of American oak. It’s notable that it is bottled both under screwcap and cork, with Paolo di Marchi a strong believer in the benefits of screwcap.
San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo.
First made in 1983, this 100% Sangiovese comes from the estate’s best vineyards.
Felsina Fontalloro.
Made with vines falling in Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi, this pure Sangiovese was first made in 1983.
Castello di Ama L’Apparita.
Narrowly beating Masseto to be the first 100% Merlot made in Tuscany (with the first vintage 1985), the 1987 vintage of L’Apparita famously beat Pétrus, Le Pin and several other Merlots in a blind tasting which was judged by a panel including Michel Rolland in 1992.
Querciabella Camartina.
First made in 1981. Today, it is a blend of mainly Cabernet with Sangiovese in support.
Bibi Graetz Testamatta + Colore.
Bibi’s top wines are elegant expressions of Tuscany’s indigenous grapes, sourced from old vines at high altitudes. Testamatta is pure Sangiovese, while the flagship Colore is Sangiovese with a touch of Colorino.
~ Vinfolio
