Oh, Tuscany… perhaps the greatest wine region in Italy. The Piedmontese may object furiously – and likely Italians from all other regions, too – but the powerhouse of central Italy is undeniably a leader for producing structured, long-lived wines from native and international varieties alike.
First used about 40 years ago, the term “Super Tuscan” now refers to a style of red wine from the region influenced by Bordeaux when it comes to grape varieties (cabernet sauvignon and merlot in particular) and winemaking methods using new oak barrels. These wines began as experiments by winemakers eschewing strict local appellation rules specifying grape varieties. From initial production as Vino da Tavola, the lowest classification at the time, the first rule-breaking wines are now regarded as superstars, some with appellations of their own – think Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia and Montevertine in the 1970s.
Of course, these aren’t affordable bottles for most of us, but there are many fantastic wines that can be found for under $100. The list below includes a selection of Bordeaux-style blends based on cabernet sauvignon, all from the warm and generous 2018. The Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei Toscana 2018 is an attractively reserved, medium-bodied blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and cabernet franc from the Chianti Classico area, now beginning to drink deliciously. The Tua Rita Toscana Giusto di Notri 2018, produced from cabernet sauvignon with some cabernet franc and merlot just a few kilometres from the warm Tuscan coast, is a rich, ripe and full-bodied red full of power and aging potential. The Argiano Toscana Solengo 2018, meanwhile, is a firm, dense and tight super Tuscan from Montalcino, with a healthy dose of petit verdot (25 percent) in the blend alongside cabernet sauvignon, merlot and a sprinkle of sangiovese. It’s also one for the cellar.
