Tasting Report: 2008 – Excellent on the Tuscan Coast

More tasting notes from the costal region of Tuscany, the Maremma, with a few a little farther north. I reviewed these in blind tastings at my Italian office. I am impressed how 2008 is turning out to be a beautiful vintage for coastal wines. May be it’s because it was a little cooler than 2007 and 2006? In any case, all three of the vintages are excellent.

My favorite wine in the tasting was the 2008 Fattoria Le Pupille Maremma Toscana Saffredi, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. The wine shows such polish and finesse yet is rich and powerful. There’s so much licorice, blackberry and floral character. It needs another three or four years to come together in the bottle. I scored it 96 points. The 2007 is just a notch below at 94 points but shares the same classy style.

The other superb wine in this group is the 2008 Duemani Toscana Cabernet Franc from consulting enologist Luca d’Attoma and his wife Elena. They have a tiny wine estate near the town of Riparbella and all the grapes are biodynamically cultivated. I usually prefer their pure Syrah, but this year it’s the Cabernet Franc: 95 points. (Luca also makes the wines in Bolgheri for Le Macchiole, which too made superb Cabernet Franc – Paleo.) Also, don’t miss the pure Cabernet Franc from Guado al Tasso; it’s the new small production, super high-end 2007 Guado al Tasso Matarocchio.

For value, take a close look at a new wine from Antinori from Fattoria Aldobrandesca Vie Cave. It’s made with Malbec, of all things. And Le Corti’s Brillo is also an excellent bottle for the money.

Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:

2010 Bruni Maremma Toscana Moresco

2008 Nittardi Maremma Toscana Ad Astra

2009 San Felice Maremma Toscana Perolla

2006 Tenuta Marsiliana Maremma Toscana

2009 Villa Poggio Salvi Morellino di Scansano Vaio