Tuscan Collectibles: Tua Rita Redigaffi – The Wine

Tua Rita’s Redigaffi is one of Italy’s best Merlots. Made on the coast of Tuscany near the town of Suvereto, it is an opulent and intense wine but it always seems to keep its form and freshness. In its early years in the 1990s, it was a bold and flamboyant wine, but I believe it has become more refined and polished now, even though it retains its great richness. That’s why it is my No. 4 Most Collectible Tuscan Wine.

I tasted the Redigaffi 2008 and 2009 (the 2009 was a barrel sample at the time but I later tasted it in bottle and scored it 96 points) with vineyard owner and manager Stefano Frascolla. Listen to his words about the difference between the two vintages, and how impressed I was with the 2008. The 2008 vintage in general, on the coast of Tuscany, could turn out to be even better than the highly regarded 2006 and 2007.

2009 Tua Rita Toscana Redigaffi: This barrel sample is rich and powerful with loads of fruit and lots of licorice and spices on the nose and palate. It’s full and very velvety with a wonderful richness and balance. What a finish. Sweet fruit yet long and bright. 95-96 points.

2008 Tua Rita Toscana Redigaffi: This is a phenomenal wine with blackberries, black olives, orange, and spices on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied and super silky with a very long and rich finish, yet powerful and bright. Not heavy. It remains so intense and structured. I can’t make up my mind for the moment if I like it better than the 2007, but it could be in the long run. So long and racy. Incredible. Give it five to six years of bottle age. 98 points.