In Florence, or "Firenze" as it's affectionately known, the spirit of Italian culture and commerce has thrived for millennia. Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, the city is surrounded by gentle hills segmented by the River Arno, which explode into lush greenery each spring. This region, famous for its Sangiovese grapes, bursts into life as the vines, awaken from their winter dormancy, channeling vital energy from root to tip in preparation for the new vintage.
Historically, the king of these hills has been Sangiovese. Yet, the latter part of the 20th century witnessed the rise of a bold challenger: the Super Tuscan. This movement began with the 1968 vintage of Sassicaia by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, profoundly influenced by his early encounters with French Bordeaux. The Marchese's dream, seeded during his youthful tastings of fine claret at his grandfather's estate, grew over the decades. In 1948, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon with the vision of crafting a Bordeaux-style wine imbued with Tuscan soul. By blending this with traditional Italian varieties like Sangiovese, and later with the help of visionary oenologist Giacomo Tachis, he redefined Tuscan winemaking, setting the stage for wines that would rival the best of Bordeaux.
As Sassicaia evolved into a symbol of quality, so too did other ambitious projects such as Tignanello and Solaia by the Antinori brothers, further expanding the scope and prestige of Super Tuscans. These wines, marrying Italian tradition with Bordeaux styles, broke old rules and set new standards, leading to the creation of an entirely new category that honored their innovative spirit. This rebellious creativity is what inspired NexTerra to embark on this journey, crafting a Super Tuscan that embodies this rich history and continues the legacy of pioneering winemaking.
Our Super Tuscan blend is a testament to this journey, skillfully combining Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. This blend not only captures the essence of Tuscan tradition but also embodies the innovative spirit that has characterized Super Tuscans since their inception. Each sip offers a fleshy red fruit palate, chalky, fine-grained tannins, subtle French oak influence, and an unmistakable sense of Italian countryside rusticity. Contact us to learn more about this blend.
Historical details about the Super Tuscan wines have been adapted from cluboenologique.