I gotta say I love your content but even more so I love your energy, your charisma, your enthusiasm. I wish you the best sir in wine and life. May good things come your way. Have a good day.
Dude, enjoy your content immensely, many thanks. This time round had the feeling you didn't want to hurt the feelings of the producers providing you with the samples. Much respect from Germany, MO
Your excitement here is palpable and I love it! I think the most important thing about drinking wine is enjoying yourself. It’s great to see someone else having this much fun with wine.
Matthew, I ordered 3 bottles of your #1 wine from this tasting, the Pupille, and cant wait to taste it! If its as good as you said, at around $40 it is a steal; btw, Cellartracker also says its excellent!
Wow, great tasting. Amazing wines you had there. I am waiting for my shipment with some Super Tuscans for an upcoming video. When it comes to grape varieties in Super Tuscans, I don’t have preference, but I tend to like those showing less jammy black fruit. Cheers! 🥂😎
I just recently got into sorta collecting but mostly drinking. I spent a summer in Italy almost 20 years ago and learned a lot about wine. I think it’s still the region I know best. Super Tuscans always have a special place in my heart
Hi Matt, I am really enjoying your channel. I agree about the super Tuscan’s and I also love my Gabriel universal glass. You need to get yourself the crystal version, super light and refined, they are amazing.
My favourite wine of 2023 so far is a Super Tuscan, the Altore Chioccioli Altadonna 2013. 50% sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon. It honestly tasted like a classified Bordeaux had been added to a top quality Chianti. Amazing wine
I love Super Tuscans. I learned about them through Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate along with The Wine Spectator. One of my favorites has always been Argiano Solengo. I tend to gravitate towards the Bordeaux blends, for the Super Tuscans. I usually stick with Chianti Classico and Brunello for my sangiovese. Are there any whites that might be considered "Super Tuscan?" Highly rated and reviewed, and maybe Bordeaux or Burgundy varietals blended with Italian varietals. Thanks again Dr. Matt for a fun and enlightening review. Everyone loves those blind tastings. Maybe a double blind in the future?
A very enjoyable review which really makes me want to return to my beloved Umbria and Tuscany. Umbrian food, Tuscan wine (although it's a bit interchangeable). Next year might see a return to Italy. As for Super Tuscan's - well, what's there to complain about? Blend Sangiovese with other blockbuster grape varieties and it's duh, why didn't we think of this before.
@@drmatthewhorkey I know Umbria like the back of my hand. It's my base in the centre of Italy. I stay there and travel to all the other regions from it. The food is amazing and I love Sagrantino wines.
I'm a bit mixed. There's so many indigenous grape varietals in Italy. Many which don't get a lot of recognition. But at the same time I can't really blame anyone for wanting to try some different varietals. I keep hearing really good things about Merlot in parts of Italy. And also not to mention, I suppose if you go far enough back a number of varietals were spread around. Some varietals we associate with France actually have Spanish origins. Anyway, thank for the video. I especially enjoy the focus on Italian wines.
I am slowly starting to become an ambassador for Sangiovese just like you. It seems that there is this odd dichotomy with Sangiovese,often it is somehow both rustic and refined.. I don't know if that makes sense.. I dont know if that rustic aspect is a characteristic of Sangiovese in general or just the one's i have tried but i absolutely love it.
Thanks for the exceptional video, Doc! Research for our honeymoon trip to Tuscany! Any of these jump out at you as great wineries to visit in person? Thanks for any expert advice!
Yummmm. Learned alot, I never knew that 100% sangiovese could be considered Super Tuscan, always assumed they had to include ot be all Bordeux Varietals. Used to serve Ornellaia La Sere Nuove, loved it!
I don’t think the Italian winemakers can hear you. Say it louder. I agree with you. I don’t want Italian wines to taste like French wines. I want my Sangiovese to taste like Sangiovese not Cabernet Sauvignon.
I love sangiovesi, I love tuscany. Some very interesting wines you've tasted ! My personal favorite Supertuscan is Pino di Biserno. If you like leathery notes, you have to try this wine ! Cheers Matthew !
I fell in love with Super Tuscans when I stumbled upon Sor Ugo from Aia Vecchia a few years ago. Bought a couple of bottles for the low price of ca EUR 28 per bottle. Quickly bought more before they ran out...
Other Bolgheri gems: Arnione by Campo Alla Sughera and Re Diale by Le Novelire. And along the road in Italy take some time to discover Sagrantino di Montefalco in Umbria!
My favorite super tuscan producer is Poggio al Tesoro. The winery is located right in the middle between Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Guado al Tasso. Love their wines. Il Seggio and Sondraia are my favorites. The owners of the winery are from the Allegrini family who also make great (and very famous) wines in Veneto. Have you tried any of Poggio al Tesoro’s wines? I think they beat Sassicaia and Ornellaia’s second and third wines by a landslide
Great tasting! I particularly enjoyed the honest approach to it. 2 points I wanted to make: 1. Carmignano is not a "supertuscan" like the others, and at the same time it's the first supertuscan ever to have been created. The blends with Cab Sauv were actually introduced and even required from the Medici family ever since they introduced the French variety in the 1600's. In that sense one could say that super Tuscans have always been a thing and not just some producer's invention of the 11th hour. 2. I keep wondering why so many notable critics deem international blends from Tuscany, and Italy in general, as somehow less worthy than wines made with Italian varieties, as if, for some magical reason, Italian terroirs were destined by some divine scheme to only produce local grapes. Why would an Italian producer be hindered from producing, for example, Syrah if he saw that the local climate and soil could potentially yield a perfect combination? Or is it simply because it is upsetting that Italy, on top of having the biggest concentration of indigenous grapes in the world, can also shine when it comes to the international ones? Just some thoughts
Thanks for another great vid! I think you've talked about this in another video but which Super Tuscan is your favorite? Which is your best QPR choice and which is your favorite of the big Supers? (Sass, Ornellaia, Solaia etc)
Talking about Tignanello, I have tasted different vintages and it have not yet amazed me. And it includes 10’ a couple of times which I still have in the cellar. So when to drink so that it lives up to the hype?
Awesome tasting as always! I saw that my local shop has the Trasgaia for 28 euros but the 2013 vintage, du you reckon that will be still good to drink?
Dr. MH that’s a lot of info-tasting in a short period of time. Blind tastings are so cool bu5brequires a good amount of dough. I did enjoy watch8ng and always am looking for sangio based wines.
Thank you! I do all my videos with samples but it takes months of emailing and gathering them. This video took six months to acquire the wines needed to shoot.
I find Brancaia il blu, il Borro and Tolaini picconero from Chianti very nice. From Bolgheri I have to mention Argentiera Villa Donoratico especially for the price
Just tried the 2018 Cepparello. Was very nice but will wait another 5 years if I make it to 67 to open the second bottle I purchased. I wasn't disappointed, but I did expect a bit more complexity.
Just like Brunellos, they need 8-10y at least. Had their classico 10’ like 1y ago and was fantastic. Btw together with cepparello 10’ which is not there yet for me
Unfortunately, for us, and Canada, when we can get some of these ones, they are much more expensive than the prices you quote. So just for a special occasion. But on a special occasion, I do like a super Tuscan! Thanks for sharing!
@@drmatthewhorkey Love your content. Would love to see you take a trip up here to British Columbia and taste some wines. Things have just exploded in the last 15 years. I humbly feel we definitely belong in the conversation now...
I haven't had that many Super Tuscans, so I don't have that much experience with them. It kind of seems to me that the varietal/cultivar isn't so important in Bolgheri or in that slice of Tuscany. Terroir, picking dates, vineyard management, and how the wine is aged seem to make a bigger difference. Personally, I prefer Tuscan wines that are Sangiovese dominant; but some of my family members prefer ones that have more CS, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, etc.
@drmatthewhorkey my family are in Europe, and I am in Taiwan; so, not a big deal. My wife isn't crazy about Sangiovese, so I drink CC or CCR, and we drink Bordeaux Tuscan blends together.
My only experience so far with super tuscan is le volte dell'ornellaia. A good wine and more approachable right out of the bat than cabernet blends from the left bank of Bordeaux, which I find needs time to breathe to show its true colors. Also the nose on this wine had the typical markers of sangiovese which I quite enjoyed, it gave a sense of place to the wine while giving it an identity of its own next to the chianti classico DOCG. But all being said, I don't mind being patient with good quality Bordeaux wines and I enjoy Chianti Classicos as my favorite grape so I don't really gravitate towards the Super Tuscans.
To me the super tuscan term is being used a bit too frequently for Bolgheri wines that for the red ones most of times should fit in Bolgheri rosso DOC. That is not the case for the classico wines with lower or no sangiovese, hence super tuscan makes some sense here or?
I gotta say I love your content but even more so I love your energy, your charisma, your enthusiasm. I wish you the best sir in wine and life. May good things come your way. Have a good day.
Wow… Thank you so much
Dude, enjoy your content immensely, many thanks.
This time round had the feeling you didn't want to hurt the feelings of the producers providing you with the samples.
Much respect from Germany,
MO
Thanks! A few wines that I know did shock me indeed but that is what happens in blind tastings
Your excitement here is palpable and I love it! I think the most important thing about drinking wine is enjoying yourself. It’s great to see someone else having this much fun with wine.
Awww thanks!
Love your excitement! Blind tasting is hard 😊
TY… yes blind tasting is very hard!
Very nice video i love to see how you enjoy in all your video ;) i love so much super tuscan in particular sassicaia, ornellaia and tignanello ;)
Thank you! You have expensive taste 😝
I love enjoy with good things ;) and to share my passion with all of my familly ;)
💪🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Matthew, I ordered 3 bottles of your #1 wine from this tasting, the Pupille, and cant wait to taste it! If its as good as you said, at around $40 it is a steal; btw, Cellartracker also says its excellent!
Wowwzasss… Enjoy it, the wine suits my palate very well and hopefully yours too
Thanks, the last several years I’ve been getting out of my west coast USA, comfort zone, your channel helps a lot.
Ahhh great, taste and explore!
Love your enthusiasm! Thank you. Have loved super tuscans for awhile! Hope to find some of these.
Good luck hunting them down and enjoy!
Definitely using the hand smell technique from now on haha. Great video!
Hahahah niceee, it will be useful for you
Wow, great tasting. Amazing wines you had there. I am waiting for my shipment with some Super Tuscans for an upcoming video. When it comes to grape varieties in Super Tuscans, I don’t have preference, but I tend to like those showing less jammy black fruit. Cheers! 🥂😎
Me too, red fruit all the way!!! I am looking forward to your video
I just recently got into sorta collecting but mostly drinking. I spent a summer in Italy almost 20 years ago and learned a lot about wine. I think it’s still the region I know best. Super Tuscans always have a special place in my heart
Ahhh nice! Tuscan wines aren’t a bad place to be on your wine journey
I'm a fan of the Trefiano Carmignano Riserva, but enjoy it with substantial age.
I figured you loved it!!!
@@drmatthewhorkey Yes, I enjoy a number of wines from that producer. Need to visit next time!
Carobbio is an amazing winery !! Im so happy you like the Leone ! Like you said its so elegant and complexe !
Thanks for introducing me to them!
very entertaining! the bocarelli blend doesnt even have the typical blend of tuscany.....thats one now on my radar
It’s a beautiful wine from a great producer
I’ve never tasted a Super Tuscan made entirely of French varietals.
Would be interesting to try.
Great episode.
Thanks Matt.
Happy hunting!
Very Nice, Doc! 6:20 good ideas!
Thanks
Another great tasting video, Matt. You’re really making me want to visit Tuscany now 🤤 great work.
Grazie!!! Go have fun in Tuscany 🍷
Love the passion for Italian wine!
All wine!! Hahahha some Frenchie and other vids coming soon
Hi Matt, I am really enjoying your channel. I agree about the super Tuscan’s and I also love my Gabriel universal glass. You need to get yourself the crystal version, super light and refined, they are amazing.
Thank you… I have the hand blown ones and they show up in some videos 😉
My favourite wine of 2023 so far is a Super Tuscan, the Altore Chioccioli Altadonna 2013. 50% sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon. It honestly tasted like a classified Bordeaux had been added to a top quality Chianti. Amazing wine
Ohhhh nice and good blend too
Would be great to see a comparison of aged super tuscans. Interested to see which ones improve over time
😎🍷
I love Super Tuscans. I learned about them through Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate along with The Wine Spectator. One of my favorites has always been Argiano Solengo. I tend to gravitate towards the Bordeaux blends, for the Super Tuscans. I usually stick with Chianti Classico and Brunello for my sangiovese. Are there any whites that might be considered "Super Tuscan?" Highly rated and reviewed, and maybe Bordeaux or Burgundy varietals blended with Italian varietals. Thanks again Dr. Matt for a fun and enlightening review. Everyone loves those blind tastings. Maybe a double blind in the future?
Really tough to do double blind when I don’t have qualified help. Maybe far into the future as the channel gets bigger, not feasible atm
A very enjoyable review which really makes me want to return to my beloved Umbria and Tuscany. Umbrian food, Tuscan wine (although it's a bit interchangeable). Next year might see a return to Italy. As for Super Tuscan's - well, what's there to complain about? Blend Sangiovese with other blockbuster grape varieties and it's duh, why didn't we think of this before.
I didn't know you shared my love for Umbria!
@@drmatthewhorkey I know Umbria like the back of my hand. It's my base in the centre of Italy. I stay there and travel to all the other regions from it. The food is amazing and I love Sagrantino wines.
I'm a bit mixed. There's so many indigenous grape varietals in Italy. Many which don't get a lot of recognition. But at the same time I can't really blame anyone for wanting to try some different varietals. I keep hearing really good things about Merlot in parts of Italy. And also not to mention, I suppose if you go far enough back a number of varietals were spread around. Some varietals we associate with France actually have Spanish origins. Anyway, thank for the video. I especially enjoy the focus on Italian wines.
Thanks for watching as always! A lot more on all wines to come!
I am slowly starting to become an ambassador for Sangiovese just like you.
It seems that there is this odd dichotomy with Sangiovese,often it is somehow both rustic and refined.. I don't know if that makes sense.. I dont know if that rustic aspect is a characteristic of Sangiovese in general or just the one's i have tried but i absolutely love it.
Rustic and refined is a PERFECT way pf putting it!
Thanks for the exceptional video, Doc! Research for our honeymoon trip to Tuscany! Any of these jump out at you as great wineries to visit in person? Thanks for any expert advice!
Thank you! Email the properties to see if they have availability.
Yummmm. Learned alot, I never knew that 100% sangiovese could be considered Super Tuscan, always assumed they had to include ot be all Bordeux Varietals. Used to serve Ornellaia La Sere Nuove, loved it!
Ohhh that is a good wine! Now 100% Sangio can be made in Chianti Classico but some producers still opt for IGT on the label…
huge Slavonian oak casks are so much better than tiny French charcoaled up barrels 😅
🤪🤣😂
I don’t think the Italian winemakers can hear you. Say it louder. I agree with you. I don’t want Italian wines to taste like French wines. I want my Sangiovese to taste like Sangiovese not Cabernet Sauvignon.
I love sangiovesi, I love tuscany. Some very interesting wines you've tasted ! My personal favorite Supertuscan is Pino di Biserno. If you like leathery notes, you have to try this wine ! Cheers Matthew !
Very nice wine from Biserno. Yes I’ve had it!
I fell in love with Super Tuscans when I stumbled upon Sor Ugo from Aia Vecchia a few years ago. Bought a couple of bottles for the low price of ca EUR 28 per bottle. Quickly bought more before they ran out...
Ohhhhh nice price
Other Bolgheri gems: Arnione by Campo Alla Sughera and Re Diale by Le Novelire.
And along the road in Italy take some time to discover Sagrantino di Montefalco in Umbria!
I was at the Anteprima Montefalco last year ;) … In addition to that, there is a Sagrantino Blind tasting video on the channel
I enjoy Sangiovese blended & Bordeaux varietal Super Tuscans…fantastic wines. 🍷
Agreed
I would love to see Sangiovese blended with Tempranillo. I think the two would go perfectly together in the blend.
Ahhhh that might be good but I don’t think Tempranillo is permitted in Italy…
"permitted" as in they're not allowed legally to grow them? Sounds crazy
My favorite super tuscan producer is Poggio al Tesoro. The winery is located right in the middle between Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Guado al Tasso. Love their wines. Il Seggio and Sondraia are my favorites. The owners of the winery are from the Allegrini family who also make great (and very famous) wines in Veneto. Have you tried any of Poggio al Tesoro’s wines? I think they beat Sassicaia and Ornellaia’s second and third wines by a landslide
I haven’t tried yet!
Full points for enthusiasm.
Thanks 🥳
Great tasting! I particularly enjoyed the honest approach to it. 2 points I wanted to make:
1. Carmignano is not a "supertuscan" like the others, and at the same time it's the first supertuscan ever to have been created. The blends with Cab Sauv were actually introduced and even required from the Medici family ever since they introduced the French variety in the 1600's. In that sense one could say that super Tuscans have always been a thing and not just some producer's invention of the 11th hour.
2. I keep wondering why so many notable critics deem international blends from Tuscany, and Italy in general, as somehow less worthy than wines made with Italian varieties, as if, for some magical reason, Italian terroirs were destined by some divine scheme to only produce local grapes. Why would an Italian producer be hindered from producing, for example, Syrah if he saw that the local climate and soil could potentially yield a perfect combination? Or is it simply because it is upsetting that Italy, on top of having the biggest concentration of indigenous grapes in the world, can also shine when it comes to the international ones? Just some thoughts
I agree so much for point 2... French varieties are planted all over the world, they are very interesting in Italy!
I will definitely seek out your runner up 😊😊
Enjoy it!
Thanks for another great vid!
I think you've talked about this in another video but which Super Tuscan is your favorite? Which is your best QPR choice and which is your favorite of the big Supers? (Sass, Ornellaia, Solaia etc)
Thanks. None of those three are big QPRs hahaah… I prefer 100% Sangio for ST wines
@Dr. Matthew Horkey well aware haha, I meant 3 different categories.
Talking about Tignanello, I have tasted different vintages and it have not yet amazed me. And it includes 10’ a couple of times which I still have in the cellar. So when to drink so that it lives up to the hype?
If you don’t like it that’s fine. Everyone has their own taste. I like it with 7-10 years of age on it - that’s my personal preference
Awesome tasting as always! I saw that my local shop has the Trasgaia for 28 euros but the 2013 vintage, du you reckon that will be still good to drink?
Only one way to find out!
@@drmatthewhorkey haha indeed !
Dr. MH that’s a lot of info-tasting in a short period of time. Blind tastings are so cool bu5brequires a good amount of dough. I did enjoy watch8ng and always am looking for sangio based wines.
Thank you! I do all my videos with samples but it takes months of emailing and gathering them. This video took six months to acquire the wines needed to shoot.
@@drmatthewhorkey thanks for your reply. I'm sure lots of prep and everything else is needed too! ty
Hey Matthew, what about Rovini glasses, do you lime them?
They are very nice, despite the odd shape
I find Brancaia il blu, il Borro and Tolaini picconero from Chianti very nice. From Bolgheri I have to mention Argentiera Villa Donoratico especially for the price
Ohhh I like them all too
Just tried the 2018 Cepparello. Was very nice but will wait another 5 years if I make it to 67 to open the second bottle I purchased. I wasn't disappointed, but I did expect a bit more complexity.
Agreed, much better with age
Just like Brunellos, they need 8-10y at least. Had their classico 10’ like 1y ago and was fantastic. Btw together with cepparello 10’ which is not there yet for me
Unfortunately, for us, and Canada, when we can get some of these ones, they are much more expensive than the prices you quote. So just for a special occasion. But on a special occasion, I do like a super Tuscan! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching and yes, that darn 50% duty in CA!
@@drmatthewhorkey Love your content. Would love to see you take a trip up here to British Columbia and taste some wines. Things have just exploded in the last 15 years. I humbly feel we definitely belong in the conversation now...
*sprints to local wine store looking for the Poggio*
😮😮😮😮
Great tasting! When you quote prices are they US retail prices?
Yes, from what I can see on Wine Searcher
I haven't had that many Super Tuscans, so I don't have that much experience with them.
It kind of seems to me that the varietal/cultivar isn't so important in Bolgheri or in that slice of Tuscany. Terroir, picking dates, vineyard management, and how the wine is aged seem to make a bigger difference.
Personally, I prefer Tuscan wines that are Sangiovese dominant; but some of my family members prefer ones that have more CS, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, etc.
Ahhh that is interesting… so how do you choose wine when you are out with your family and they want Tuscan????
@drmatthewhorkey my family are in Europe, and I am in Taiwan; so, not a big deal. My wife isn't crazy about Sangiovese, so I drink CC or CCR, and we drink Bordeaux Tuscan blends together.
your best alternative to sassicaia?
A video on the channel about it already…
@@drmatthewhorkey with one ?
I usually go 100% Sangiovese, Le pergole torte does the trick for me.
Found interesting value with Bibi Graetz’s Testamatta too.
Ohhh serious wines
What are the glasses?
Link in description box
just a few hours ago drink Tignanello 2019, its young and made me thought need to aged
Ohhh yes that is young for a Tign…
Love Sangiovese! Super Tuscan any good wine from Italy.
Love Sangiovese too!
If you are indeed in Tuscany now, enjoy!
I wish I was!
My only experience so far with super tuscan is le volte dell'ornellaia. A good wine and more approachable right out of the bat than cabernet blends from the left bank of Bordeaux, which I find needs time to breathe to show its true colors. Also the nose on this wine had the typical markers of sangiovese which I quite enjoyed, it gave a sense of place to the wine while giving it an identity of its own next to the chianti classico DOCG. But all being said, I don't mind being patient with good quality Bordeaux wines and I enjoy Chianti Classicos as my favorite grape so I don't really gravitate towards the Super Tuscans.
It is a good wine indeed!
To me the super tuscan term is being used a bit too frequently for Bolgheri wines that for the red ones most of times should fit in Bolgheri rosso DOC. That is not the case for the classico wines with lower or no sangiovese, hence super tuscan makes some sense here or?
Well it’s not an official term, I gave my personal definition in the vid
Italian wines are so good with Italian food…..
Ohhhhh yessss 🤤
i really dont like chianti, idk why.. its ok-ish with a meal but then i prefer all other wines from italy
For me, I often say no to Chianti but YES to Chianti Classico…
come on give us the closest to sassicaia men jeje
Bolgheri blind tasting video coming soon
I live in tijuana mexico, in the border with san Diego,ca.. here we have Valle de Guadalupe wines... There is at least 10 very good producers
i love sangiovese, i'd rather they not do bordeaux blends
Ahhhh why not?
@@drmatthewhorkey sangiovese has silkiness and is easily dominated, eg sangio with 15% cab taste cab, cab with 15% sangio taste cab
You kept rubbing your nose throughout the video, allergies, reaction to sulfides?
Hahah no it’s out of habit