Winemaker Notes
100% Syrah, a portion of which is partially de-stemmed, while some are left whole and still others are lightly foot pressed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in small concrete vats and without the use of pumps, sulfur or temperature control. The wine is then allowed to clarify naturally and is moved to various vessels for aging (mostly concrete and Clayver ceramic orbs, but a small portion does go into large oak casks).
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This springs from the glass with a crescendo of violet, clove and summer red fruits, with pithy dark cherries and plums. Anise, black olive and charcuterie, too. This is a doppelganger for a modernist Cote-Rotie, such is the flare and polish. So bright, yet densely packed and forceful of extract, tannic exactitude and prodigious length. Wow! This is a wonderful wine from the semi-arid heat of Cortona, a place whence I never expected quality such as this based on uninteresting wines from there in the past. A dichotomous meld of power with a balletic friskiness. Kerpow! Liquid brilliance.
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Decanter
Stefano Amerighi is a talented winemaker from Cortona, in southeast Tuscany. He is most likely the best Syrah producer in Italy, focused on biodynamic viticulture since the beginning. Now, with the latest releases, his wines are becoming serious Syrah, more than just a crunchy and detailed Cortona red wine. He works precisely with no destemming and minimal use of oak. The 2020 vintage is a masterpiece of complexity, displaying cinnamon spice, mace, black olives, cassis and blood orange which flow through the palate with balance, grace and without any roughness. It is fresh, savoury and long, easily able to compete with the best Northern Rhone examples.
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.