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The Super Tuscans

Written By: Dylan York on Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Curious about why they are called "Super" Tuscans? I would be.

In the last article on Italian wine designations I opened up the door for an article on a group of wines referred to as the Super Tuscans. These are a group of wines that fall under the IGT Toscana designation and utilize that category to produce wines made with varietals other than Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia, and other varietals authorized for that region. The Super Tuscan wines can be made with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and even Petit Verdot. This style of wine came about in the late 1960s but the government would not allow the wines to be called anything other than Vino di Tavola, or table wines. Winemakers during this period wanted to make wines that resembled the wines of Bordeaux, so they did it anyway and labeled them under the table wine category. This really upset the balance of things considering that the government had just came out with the DOCG and DOC designations that were supposed to symbolize quality wines. All the chaos can be thankfully blamed on the creation of two wines, Tignanello and Sassicaia.

In 1968, Tenuta San Guido, located in the Bolgheri province of Tuscany, first released Sassicaia. The wine was made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes grown in a gravelly soil very similar to Graves in Bordeaux. Later in 1971, the Antinori family released Tignanello, from the Chianti Classico region, which was a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Both wines over the next few years started to get a great deal of attention from the global market. In 1974 both wines were coined Super Tuscans and until the 1993 addition of the IGT designation, were the most expensive "table wines" in the world, but others soon followed onto the scene. In 1978, Antinori released its second Super Tuscan, Solaia, a blend of Cabernet and Cabernet Franc. Tenuta del Ornellaia, in 1985, created Ornellaia, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Last but not least, one of my all time favorites is Tenuta di Trinoro, a Cabernet Franc dominated blend with Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, released in 1997.

Today there are a large number of Super Tuscans produced, all with IGT designations except for Sassicaia, which was awarded its own DOC in 1994. These wines typically have deeper fruit structure and tannins, and are much more full bodied compared to the other wines of Tuscany. There are a large number of fantastic wines to choose from, here are a few of my personal favorites:

For the cellar

2005 Tua Rita Redigrafi IGT Toscana - 100 % Merlot. This is one of the most massive Merlots that I have ever tasted in my life. Upon release, this wine will take the enamel off your teeth. Give it the time it needs and you will never forget it. Drink from 2010 to whenever.

2006 Tenuta di Trinoro IGT Toscana - 51.5% Merlot, 30.5 Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot. This wine is a cult wine collector’s dream. If you can find this wine, buy it! There were only 700 cases made of this wine. Words cannot express how good it is. Drink 2010 to whenever. Look for the second label "La Cupole" as well.

Drink or Hold
2004 Tignanello IGT Toscana – A blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Firm and tannic backbone, yet silky and juicy black fruits dominate this wine. Decant for 1 hour. This wine can hold for 5-8 years. Retails $70+ USD
2005 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove Bolgheri DOC - Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's "second label". A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinks like a classic Bordeaux. Decant for 1 hour before drinking. This wine can hold up to 10 years. Retail $50-$60 USD
2006 Tenuta di Trinoro "Le Cupole Trinoro" IGT Toscana – A blend of 47% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9.5 % Petit Verdot. Feel like a bank robber without the jail sentence, I have no idea why they charge so little for this wine. The blend changes every year and this vintage contains mostly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet so it is going to be superb! Drink now or hold over the next 5-8 years. $30-$40 USD.

Drink Now

2005 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia "Le Volte" IGT Toscana - This is one of the best Super Tuscans for under $25 dollars that I have ever come across. It is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich and full-bodied with black cherry, blackberry, earthy spices, leather, and firm tannins. $25 USD

If there are others you are curious about, please leave a comment.

Thanks for reading,

Dylan

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dyork
St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
Posted on 5/30/08

The Capsula Viola is a nice crisp and fruit driven white wine made from Trebbiano, Chardonnay and a touch of Pinot Bianco. This wine is great with dry cheeses and fresh fruit and is a great summertime wine, or in our case in Grenada, it's perfect all year round. I'll stop by and check out the new stuff, thanks for the heads up.


ayisha
,
Posted on 5/27/08

I have a Capsula Viola IGT Toscana. What can you tell me about it. Also the Italian container has come in so come by and see what we have.We have the 2001 Pian Delle Brunello.

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