Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Shows a very ripe nose, with rose, berry and hints of meat. Full-bodied and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Massive yet balanced. What a wine. The greatest Saffredi ever made. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. Better than previously reviewed. Best after 2012. 1,750 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The DNA profile of the Fattoria le Pupille 2004 Saffredi is different because this is the first vintage that sees Syrah instead of Alicante in the blend. The bouquet comes out in full force with lots of rich dark fruit and tannins that are still aggressive today, some 20 years after the harvest. The growing season saw four big summer storms and is considered a cool vintage overall. Indeed, the freshness of the fruit is intact, and there is a hint of dried green herb or rosemary. This bottle is holding on nicely.
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Wine Enthusiast
Saffredi is one of the most exciting super Tuscans of the year. The blend is Cabernet, Merlot and Alicante and the results of underscore the immense potential of Maremma. The wine is vibrant, intense and sprightly with an outstandingly complex offering of pristine aromas: ripe cherry, floral essences, red apple and subdued almond.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.