2019 Fattoria Le Pupille "Saffredi" Maremma Toscana

So much crushed stone, rosemary, lavender, mint and blackberry. Full-bodied and very structured with layers of powerful and polished tannins. It goes on for minutes. Ink, blackcurrants and blueberries. 

 My article on icon wines from Tuscany focuses primarily on releases from the 2018 vintage. Fattoria le Pupille releases its top wine, the 2019 Saffredi, earlier than the rest. This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot is explosive. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon has been slightly increased in this vintage (and we can expect the same in the warm 2020 vintage that saw the percentage of Merlot further reduced). This 2019 expression boasts a very compact and powerful quality of fruit with deep intensity, thick layering and a velvety texture. This is a real beauty that should be put aside for a few more years of aging. (ML) 97+

The 2019 Saffredi is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted here. It offers a beguiling mix of opulence in its fruit profile with a classic sense of structure that holds it all together. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, leather and cloves infuse the 2019 with notable darkness. I would give the 2019 a few years to soften, as the tannins are pretty imposing today. (AG) 

A deep, polished red, whose black currant, blackberry, plum, violet and oak spice aromas and flavors mesh well with the dense structure. Very focused, balanced and needs a few years to integrate. Terrific length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2037. *#8 Wine of the Year 2022, Highly Recommended* (BS)