By the oenologist of Sassicaia! Same winemaking at this price??! We practically fell out of our chairs and immediately smashed the big red “YES” button.

Lovers of Super Tuscans! Hop in because we have a gorgeous one for you today. One with MEGA street cred and a sweet, sweet price - plus a great score!! Buckle up because this one will fly out of here at this price.

We’ve already blown through thousands of bottles of their Pittoresco, one of our top-selling Italians ever.

This La Pace is similarly styled to Sassicaia, dominated by Cabernets. And it’s a beauty for just $26 with a raving 95 points review too. Even at the full $45 price, it’s a tremendous bargain. Antonio Galloni’s Vinous just discovered these with the 2017 and remarked “this flashy, extroverted wine is certainly not shy.”

James Suckling adds: “We highly recommend buying 2016 Tuscan wines, particularly after the relatively meager 2014s. These are wines to marvel at in their frankness and true character. They reflect a maturity in the vineyard and winemaking that translates into real Tuscan wines. Another compelling reason to buy both years is that we already know 2017 will not be at the same level of quality as 2016.”

This tiny Podere is as coastal as Maremma gets, just 6 miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea, so the vineyards are constantly swept by Mediterranean breezes that carry fresh cool air and the flair of the seas to the perfectly ripe low-hanging fruit. To carry this natural abundance unscathed and elevated into the bottle, La Pace commissioned a name you might recognize - Graziana Grassini - consultant for Tenuta San Guido. Yes, you read that right, THAT San Guido of Sassicaia fame.

As a relative newcomer to the Tuscan scene, they are working a reputation and track record towards the $100+ a bottle - air suffixed cult jewels in these parts. With quality on the rise and an exceptional string of great vintages on their side, this is a remarkable winery to keep on your radar. Super ‘Sipper’ Tuscans like this albeit crafted by Sassicaia’s enologist are hardly ever seen in the wild, let alone in the $20s.

The sense of place is truly remarkable here. With irresistible black and red berries up front, and a medium to full-bodied robust palate that balances ripe fruit with savory freshness, this is your go to Italian for whatever you braise, sauté, or grill up these coming days.

Just like Raffaele and James, we were beyond impressed by the quality and value we have here. You will be too.

95 Points – Raffaele Vecchione

“Mixed floral and fruity scents give emotion at first as notes of black plums, wild blackberries, orange blossom, cedar, and sweet black cherries. The authoritative background is world-class with subtle herbaceous nuances. Full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins at entry and a solid finish with a remarkable voluminous structure that melds well with the vertical progression. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Better from 2022.”