Sign In

Tuscany

Tuscany, or Toscana in Italian, is Italy’s best-known wine region and its most diverse. Historically Sangiovese was the primary grape grown in Tuscany and Chianti was considered the purest expression of Sangiovese. Sangiovese and its many clones are still important, and they are the grapes used for the Tuscan appellations of Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, Chianti, Chianti Classico and Carmignano. But in the last 50 years innovative producers, many of them in southwestern Tuscany in the area called Maremma, have also planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The tradition defying producers have blended those varietals with Sangiovese to produce dazzling wines that do not conform to Italy’s appellation regulations. Such wines are called Super Tuscans and cannot be labeled with either of Italy’s highest level quality designations, which are in order of status Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantia, (DOCG), and Denominazione di Origine Controllata, (DOC). (This has not at all hindered the demand for Super Tuscans, some of which are consistently among the world’s most admired and well-reviewed wines.) Tuscany has six DOCG appellations and thirty-four DOCs. Though famous for its red wines, Tuscany also produces whites made primarily from Trebbiano and Vernaccia.
There are also many Tuscan Indicazione Geographica Tipica (IGT) wines that are often an innovative blend of traditional and non-traditional grapes. This relatively new appellation status was started in 1992 as an attempt to give an official classification to Italy’s many newer blends that do fit the strict requirements of DOC and DOCG classifications. IGT wines may use the name of the region and varietal on their label or in their name.

1967 Marchesi di Frescobaldi Chianti Nipozzano

Light capsule condition issue; mid shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1970 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1970 Marchesi di Frescobaldi Chianti Nipozzano

Light capsule condition issue; mid shoulder fill; label condition issue

1977 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Il Poggio Riserva

Top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1977 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Il Poggio Riserva

6-bottle Lot

Very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1977 Bertolli Chianti Classico

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  99   
JR  19   
MB  ***/*   

1988 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Il Poggio Riserva

Very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1988 Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice

375ml

Capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

WS  96   

1989 Marchesi Antinori Solaia

Light label condition issue

1989 Rocca delle Macie Toscana Rosso Ser Gioveto

Capsule condition issue; elevated cork; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1990 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello

Light capsule condition issue; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  93   
WS  92   

1990 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  93   
WS  92   

1990 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Case Basse

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  98   
JR  18.5   

1990 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Case Basse Riserva

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  98   
WS  92   

1990 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

375ml

Light label condition issue

WS  93   
WS  #49 of 1995   

1990 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 3.0ltr

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue; Light case condition issue

WS  93   
WS  #49 of 1995   

1990 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Il Poggio Riserva

Very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1990 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino

Signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill