Wine on the Radio

Super Tuscan                                      Picks and Recommendations

A recent email asked us, “What’s a super Tuscan?”  We asked Patrick W. Fegan of Chicago Wine School.

“Well, so called super Tuscans are non-traditional wines from Tuscany that fall outside of classic regulations for wine handling and/or for grape blends.

These are usually pretty complex, barrel aged and high quality wines…but you wouldn’t know that from the label.

It usually states the phrase “Indicazione Geografica Tipica” (IGT) with maybe a vineyard or fantasy name.

But inside you’ll find that break from tradition with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or even Syrah instead of or blended with traditional Sangiovese to make a very different wine than you would normally expect.

They’re designed to help give Tuscan winemakers more creativity and flexibility and to demonstrate that they, too, can make classic French-style wines.

Many of the major producers make super Tuscans, so if you need some help be sure to ask your wine person for guidance.”

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Super Tuscan Wines - All prices approximate.

Antinori 1999 Tignanello   $80
Tuscany , Italy
Winemaker's Notes
Intensely fruity and complex on the nose, full-bodied, rich and complex in the mouth with exceptional structure and a lengthy finish.   The original Super-Tuscan

Avignonesi 1999 Toscana Desiderio   $45
Tuscany, Italy
Winemaker's Notes
This super-Tuscan blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) was listed in Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines of 2002!

 

Banfi 2000 Col-di-Sasso   $10
Tuscany, Italy
Winemaker's Notes
Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wine Values of 2002 A Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet vinified to express lush fruitiness

San Fabiano Calcinaia 1999 Cerviolo Rosso   $50
Tuscany , Italy
Winemaker's Notes
"This perennial knock-out is excellent again.   Wine Enthusiast, Best of the Year 2002

Terrabianca 1999 Campaccio   $30
Tuscany , Italy
Winemaker's Notes
70% Sangiovese - 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a select and limited "Super Tuscan". The production is approximately 12,000 bottles per year

Frescobaldi 2000 Remole Toscana Rosso   $8
Tuscany , Italy

Winemaker's Notes
The color is a vivacious purple
The bouquet offers a combination of fruit fragrances, where cherries mingle perfectly with black currants, enhanced by the delicate aroma of violets

Le Macchiole 1999 Macchiole Rosso IGT $45
Tuscany , Italy
Winemaker's Notes
95% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Banfi 2000 Centine Toscana   $12
Tuscany , Italy
Winemaker's Notes
Ruby red color deep and intense; aromas of plum jam, and fresh hints of cherries, blackberries, raspberries are also well present. This wine has a good structure with the soft tannins characteristic of this vintage. A wine that is well-balanced and highly enjoyable