Super Tuscans

I was stunned when I opened up a bottle of Sassicaia 01 for Mark's birthday. It was amazingly good, well-balanced and powerful. Had another 3 bottles and maybe looking to buy some Ornellia. Masseto is terrribly expensive though.

Definition: (Indicazione Geografica Tipica = typical regional wine) wines are, if of a certain quality, also called SUPER TUSCANS. An IGT Toscana guarantees that a minimum of 85% of the grapes used in the wine have grown in the region. However, much of the IGT wine is produced with grapes that come from the wine producers' own vineyards, especially when talking of the Super Tuscans that are top quality wines. The grape variety, vinification, aging and final blend are all up to the creativity of the wine maker. Many of the important and famous wines in Tuscany are actually the IGTs. The more expensive wines have since the 70's been called Super Tuscans. This name was invented by Robert Parker who found notable interest in these wines and helped them become famous world wide.

With the Doc and Docg wines we have an idea of the composition of the wine since the producers have to follow a certain blend recipe. This is not true for the Igt wines. The blend can be practically anything and it doesn't have to be stated on the label. A Super Tuscan is the final expression of quality and skill of winemaking of a wine producer and his enologist. The wine can be made with any variety of grapes, either blended or pure, and are matured in oak barriques and have a good longevity.

Here are some of the top super tuscans - not in any order

• Sassicaia by Tenuta San Guido (1968 - cabernet sauvignon & cabernet franc)
• Flaccianello by Fontodi (1981 - sangiovese)
• Fontalloro by Felsina (1983 - sangiovese)
• Testamatta by Bibi Graetz (2000 - sangiovese, colorino, canaiolo, moscato nero & malvasia nera)
• Le Pergole Torte by Montevertine (1977 - sangiovese)
• San Martino by Villa Cafaggio (1985 - sangiovese)
• Cepparello by Isole & Olena
• San Lorenzo by Sassotondo (1997 - ciliegiolo)
• Piastraia by Michele Satta (1995 - cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese, syrah)
• Il Bosco by Tenimenti d'Alessandro (1992 - syrah)
• Solaia by Antinori Tignanello by Antinori (1971 - sangiovese & cabernet sauvignon)
• Onellaia by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia (1984 - cabernet sauvignon, merlot & cabernet franc)
• Masseto by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia (1985 - merlot)
• Paleo by Macchiole (1989 - cabernet franc)
• Messorio by Macchiole (1994 - merlot)
• Ghiaie della Furba by Capezzana (1979 - cabernet sauvignon, merlot & syrah)
• Tzingana by MonteBernardi (1994 - merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc & petit verdot)
• Percarlo by San Giusto a Rentennano (1983 - sangiovese)
• Redigaffi by Tua Rita (1994 - merlot)
• Tenuta di Trinoro by Tenuta di Trinoro (1997 - cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon & merlot)
• Cepparello by Isole e Olena (1980 - sangiovese)
• Il Corzano by Corzano & Paterno (1987 - sangiovese & cabernet sauvignon & merlot)
• Sammarco by Castello dei Rampolla (1980 - cabernet sauvignon)
• D'Alceo by Castello dei Rampolla (1996 - cabernet sauvignon & petit verdot)
• Siepi by Castello di Fonterutoli (1992 - merlot & sangiovese)
• I Sodi di San Niccolò by Castellare di Castellina (1979 - sangiovese & malvasia nera)
• Brancaia il Blu by Brancaia (1988 - sangiovese, merlot & cabernet sauvignon)
• Vigna L'Apparita by Castello di Ama (1985 - merlot)
• Saffredi by Le Pupille (1987 - cabernet sauvignon, merlot & alicante)
• La Gioia by Riecine (1982 - sangiovese)
• Rosso di Sera by Poggiopiano (1995 - sangiovese & colorino)
• Balifico by Castello di Volpaia (1985 - sangiovese & cabernet sauvignon)
• Primamateria by Poggerino
• Camartina by Querciabella (1981 - sangiovese & cabernet sauvignon)
• Casalferro by Barone Ricasoli (1993 - sangiovese & merlot)
• Grattamacco by Grattamacco (1982 - cabernet sauvignon, merlot & sangiovese)
• Lupicaia by Castello del Terriccio (1993 - cabernet sauvignon & merlot)
• Avvoltore by Moris Farms (1988 - sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon & syrah)
• Sangioveto by Badia a Coltibuono (1980 - sangiovese)
• Il Pareto by Tenuta di Nozzole (1985 - cabernet sauvignon)
• Veneroso by Tenuta di Ghizzano (1985 - sangiovese & cabernet sauvignon)
• Magari by Angelo Gaja(2000 - merlot, cabernet sauvignon & cab franc)