Terre di Toscana 2022
Updated: Mar 30
Una Experience Hotel, Lido di Camaiore
Originally staged for earlier in the year, finally opened its doors to the trade, press and invited guests on the 20th and 21st March at the UNA Experience Hotel, Lido di Camaiore, LU.
Organised by L’Acqua Buona enology magazine, this annual event is always oversubscribed, many important wineries not being able to partecipate due to space restrictions.
The entire ground floor of the hotel is taken over by some of the most prestigious wineries in Tuscany. This was the event’s fourteenth edition.
Totally unique in that you have the opportunity to taste the latest releases from Montalcino, Chianti Classico, San Gimignano, Bolgheri, Montepulciano and Cortona, all under one roof.
The atmosphere should also be mentioned, for such a large event it is very personal, comfortable and approachable, rather than overwhelming.
Special congratulations to L’ Acqua Buona is totally justified for continuing such an impressive event.
These are some of the highlights of my two days spent at Terre di Toscana:
Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva 2018.
Aromatics of blue flowers, red berries, warm earth. Fine tannins. Touch below full bodied.
Points 92 TW
Montepelose
A fabulous winery in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Aromatics of this region are found in the bottle of this winery. Production of IGT’s including a great Cabernet Sauvignon named Gabbro from 40 + year old vines.
The ‘master artist’ Martino Manetti has continued the management of this world class winery Montevertine since 2000, that includes the astonishing Le Pergole Torte.
Pomona
The super talented Monica Raspi, veterinarian turned winemaker. Piero Grosso available in one litre bottles with a crown closure. Sangiovese 100%.
Podere Le Ripi
Did not send me their wines to review this year. So I was especially pleased to taste their latest line up.
Podere Fedespina
This is a winery I have wanted to visit for a long time, unfortunately Covid restrictions came between me and my visit. The Pinot Noir is made from 40 year old vines and is terroir led and outstanding in 2016.
Petra
There are two ways to be impressed by Petra: firstly, taste their wines.Secondly go see their architectural winery.
Rocca di Montegrossi
The near impossible is being achieved at Rocca di Montegrossi. Each year, irrespective of the vintage, the wines just keep on impressing. The latest incantation Ridolfo a 50/50 of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello should not really work this well, if at all, but the 2015 I gave it 99 TW points. The 2016? …you have to wait!
Ruffino
Owed by Constellation Brands Inc are releasing some really interesting and quality wines.
Sesti
The Phenomena labelling deserves an award on its own!
Olivier Toscani
Never a dull tasting… the sparkling rosé Lolí was very quaffable. The Lumeo (Syrah) worth 91 TW points.
San Guisto a Rentennano
Terroir led Chianti Classico backed up with Percarlo and La Ricolma… enough said!
Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido
The 2019 Sassicaia fruit quality is legendary: blackberry, black plum, black cherry and blackcurrant, dry orange peel, dried Mediterranean herbs, juniper, eastern spice notes with bitter chocolate notes. Super concentrated, fresh, little shy in its youth, but undeniably elegant. Needs 10/12 years to start to show its full potential.
Points 98+ TW
Tua Rita
Always a winner in my book, now with the added bonus of Rada Linke in their team!
Il Marroneto
The youthful genius of Dr. Alessandro Mori the winemaker/owner at this shrine of Brunello excellence. I waited for 26 years to taste a Brunello as good as Soldera Case Basse Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1990, then I was sent Il Marroneto, Brunello di Montalcino, Madonna delle Grazie 2016 to taste and review, it turned out to be one of greatest wine moments of my wine life. I immediately gave it my first and only outright 100 points.
Riecine
Amazing early English history of this winery, and now with a hugely talented winemaker
under recently new ownership, it is really going places.
Tenuta Montauto
Outstanding in its individuality, as expressed in its wine line up.
Beconcini Fresco di Neri Toscana 2021
Rosé from 100% Tempranillo. Intense red rose in colour. For an early harvested grape (August) shows complexity. Black berry fruits. Red florals. All held up by a solid line of minerality.
Points 91 TW
Beconcini Vigne Le Nicchie 2016
Pre-phylloxera Tempranillo. What (I hear you ask), is a Spanish Pre-phylloxera grape doing in a Tuscan vineyard?
Dark ruby red in colour with purple undertones. Black cherry, bitter chocolate, golden pipe tobacco, scorched earth and flint. Totally unique.
Points 94 TW
Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara
My first stop in San Gimignano. Three expressions of Vernaccia; Selvanbianca, Campo Della Pieve and L’Albereta Riserva, are a joy to taste and compare, but better still go and visit and meet the brothers Alessio, Giampiero and Stefano.
My sincere thanks to Luca Bonci, Riccardo Farchioni and the committee of L'AcquaBuona enology magazine for their continued support and hospitality. Once again they organised a brilliant event at the Una Esperienza Hotel in Lido di Camaiore, Viareggio.
© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2022