Appy Friday Exclusive: “stuff of dreams”* per Robert Parker!

A Pétrus lover’s Tuscan! And it doesn’t cost $3k+!

Per Decanter “1994 saw the first vintage of Redigaffi, a 100% Merlot, but it was when Robert Parker awarded 100 points to the 2000 vintage that Tua Rita really came to the attention of the wine world: Redigaffi became the first Italian wine to receive a perfect score from the American wine critic.”

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous puts Redigaffi in the league it belongs, “Clearly, no international grape variety in Italy can boast four monovariety wines of the caliber of Masseto, L’Apparita, Redigaffi and Messorio.”

Expected with a genius like Luca d’Attoma, after putting top Tuscan superstars like Le Pupille and Le Macchiole on the map, leading Tua Rita, while also consulting for a myriad of others across the globe. Full list here.

Decanter has the history of how Tua Rita rose to the very top: “Tua Rita makes some of Italy’s most exciting and collectible red wines. Its story began in 1984, when Virgilio Bisti and his wife Rita Tua purchased a small two-hectare property in Suvereto in the Alta Maremma, with just half a hectare of Sangiovese. In the beginning, their dream was simply to have a more rural life close to the land, but soon a passion for wine took over. In 1988, two more hectares were added, planted – against the local trend – with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon which Tua Rita felt suited the site and some of which found their way into nearby Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia. In 1992, Virgilio and Rita took on one of Italy’s best consultant oenologists, Luca d’Attoma, and started bottling their own wine.”

A few bottles only, forgive us when sold out…

98 Points – Falstaff “Invitingly brilliant ruby-violet. Rich, appealing nose, rich in blueberries and blackberries, cassis, some dark bread crust, oregano behind it. Full-bodied and compact at the start and on the palate, rich blueberry and blackberry flavours, grippy, hearty tannins, young but very well integrated, spans a wide range.”

98 Points – James Suckling “Aromas of crushed fruit and white pepper with dried lavender and hints of violets and sage flowers. Stony undertones, too. Medium- to full-bodied, tight and focused, with reserve and beauty. And then it grows on the palate with polished and focused tannins that take it to another level. Exudes freshness and length, despite the hot growing season. A sophisticated red and with a long future ahead. Try after three to four years.”

97 Points – Wine Advocate “One of Italy’s greatest Merlots, the Tua Rita 2022 Redigaffi is packed tight with sweet fruit, blackberry preserves, sweet spice and toasted oak. This is a fleshed out and generous expression with lots of proverbial fruit stuffing and volume. The oak aging regime includes 80% new wood and 20% neutral oak from various coopers, mostly sourcing from the tonnelleries Orion and de Mercurey. “There is no single recipe. We want to add as many colors to the palette as possible,” says proprietor Stefano Frascolla. The idea is to maintain the identity of Merlot, he says, with muscle power and well-integrated tannins. The 2022 vintage accomplishes these goals in a package that is aromatic and rich yet also a little leaner and fresher in terms of finish. The overall message here is elegance. Drink 2026-2048.”

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2022 Redigaffi displays a saturated purple/red color and is balanced and ripe on the nose, with aromas of plum, candied flowers, red apple, cedar, and dried earth. Full-bodied, it fills the palate with ripe tannins, mouthwatering, fresh acidity, and a very long finish without ever being heavy. It has incredible depth and a luxurious feel, and it’s very well-balanced, but it will take time to reveal its more complete and complex aromas of leather and tobacco. Drink over the coming 20 years. Drink 2025-2045.”