L'Alta Toscana - The other Tuscany-: the 10 best wines according to Gambero Rosso

Grand finale of the previews: the event "L'Altra Toscana" (The Other Tuscany) concludes the tastings of the new vintages of the region. After the appointment at Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo Affari was the nerve center to taste over 350 labels of denominations such as Maremma Toscana, Montecucco and Montecucco Sangiovese, Orcia, Cortona, Valdarno di Sopra, Terre di Pisa, Chianti Rufina, Terre di Casole, Grance Senesi, Montescudaio, Suvereto, Val di Cornia, and Rosso della Val di Cornia, Carmignano, Barco Reale di Carmignano, and Vin Santo di Carmignano and Tuscany. A picture made possible by teamwork among the consortia. Among the many wines tasted, we have selected 10 labels that impressed us the most.

The 10 best tastings at "The Other Tuscany"

Tenuta di Aritmico - Carmingano Grumarello Ris. 2020

Owned by Annabella Pascale and Francesco Spotorno Olmo, the vineyards are located in two different areas between Florence and Prato. Grumarello Riserva, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, originates from the latter area. Broad and multifaceted, with mature plum notes blending with mint, eucalyptus, and hints of red earth. Gritty, rich, with a beautiful extended, balsamic, and floral finish.

Fabrizio Pratesi - Carmignano Il Circo Rosso Riserva 2021

Another Carmignano Riserva, this time by full-time winemaker Fabrizio Pratesi. Cultivating Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties on the hills of Carmignano, Il Circo Rosso is a sanguine wine with notes of faded flowers and small black fruits on the nose. Dark-toned on the palate but with freshness and a dense and fine tannin. Long and enveloping finish.

Fabrizio Dionisio - Cortona Rosso Il Castagno

From the province of Prato to Cortona in the southern direction of Tuscany. The wine, named after the locality where the winery is situated, is a pure Syrah first labeled in 2003. Low yields and vineyard selection result in a fascinating and highly pleasant wine. Vanilla, toasted wood, sour cherry, floral notes. Well-integrated tannin provides a laid-back and substantial sip. A wine with verve and beautiful harmony.

Stefano Amerighi - Cortona Rosso Apice 2020

Astounding! A wine reminiscent of hummus with mushroom, undergrowth, wet leaves, and burnt wood notes. Earthy, complex, deep. The velvety and dense tannin contributes to giving a three-dimensional dimension to the wine, while the sip is very long with dark tones of black earth, blackberries, and a light smokiness. Apice is produced only in vintages considered up to par, from a hilly area called the "closed of Cortona." Few bottles, tremendous character.

Guido F. Fendi - Maremma Toscana Vermentino Chicca 2022

Gritty and mineral. The refinement, involving only a pause in steel and bottle, highlights primary sensations of white flowers, citrus, orange blossoms, and white peach. The winery is in the heart of the Maremma, nestled between Capalbio, Montemerano, and Manciano. Behind the labels is Guido Formilli Fendi, son of the designer Franca Fendi, and founder of the eponymous company in 2018.

Bruni - Maremma Toscana Perlaia 2021

Chamomile, fresh grass, pear, jasmine, followed by white flowers and, finally, white melon. Fragrant and smooth. The Perlaia from Bruni convinces with vibrant freshness, providing an unexpected sip. Brothers Marco and Moreno base their production on a modern and strong approach that interprets and conveys the territory of Fonteblanda, in the province of Grosseto, very well.

Sassotondo - Maremma Toscana Ciliegiolo V. San Lorenzo 2020

A selection of grapes from sixty-year-old vines and long aging between Slavonian oak barrels and bottles. This new vintage of Vigna San Lorenzo surprises with its lightness, yet it is delicious and satisfying. The nose is dominated by cherry and sweet spice notes, while the palate consists of vibrant freshness and long persistence that calls for sip after sip. A label that confirms the excellent work of Carla Benini and Edoardo Ventimiglia.

Podere Assolati - Montecucco Rosso 2020

Three hectares of vineyards dedicated to the cultivation of vines that define a range entirely focused on the denomination of the province of Grosseto. Montecucco Rosso has a beautiful intense nose that plays on the sensations of red fruit, including strawberry, currant, and rhubarb notes. The sip is warm and enveloping, with good weight and substance, and a saline finish emerges in the closing, balancing the fruity notes perceived on the palate.

Cincinelli - Il Legato 2020

Outside the denominations, gems can be found. This is the case with the Sangiovese from the Cincinelli winery. Grapes from a single vineyard undergo fermentation in small tanks of 30-50 hl. Aging in large barrels and barriques enriches the cherry notes with a sweet spacing. A slender, fresh, crisp, laid-back palate with good definition offers a drinkable and highly pleasant wine.

Il Borro - Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese V. Polissena 2020

A true and characterful Sangiovese born on the slopes of the Pratomagno ridge. Blood-like scents contribute to giving a multifaceted nose, along with notes of faded flowers, black pepper, and ripe red cherries. Fleshy with good coherence between the nose and palate. The sip closes with mineral sensations and stretches over a persistence of fruity and herbal notes.