2021 Tua Rita 'Giusto di Notri' Toscana IGT

“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.” – Decanter

Sassicaia’s 2021: Good luck finding some under $300.

That ‘secret’ Sassicaia source’s 2021: About a FIFTH of that - thanks to our best price anywhere!

Trade publication The Buyer is right, “40 years and Tua Rita is still motoring ahead of the pack.”

Did we mention - not one - or two, but THREE 96-points?!

This blockbuster Toscana comes to us from the same producer who makes the Italian "Petrus-dupe" Redigaffi. Maybe you got some in the past when we sold it. Or maybe you're already sneaking into the App to get some ahead of Appy Hour...hint hint.

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 got to the 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, the first of which they called Giusto di Notri.”

What can one add to this beauty in our glasses? It sure is youthfully intense and wound up, but that’s quite expected from a 50+ year wine. There are those ‘iron fist in velvet glove’ tannins standing between the hedonistic fruit and a vibrant backbone of acidity. Through the rich and austere midpalate emerges a finish that echoes endlessly with beautiful berries, herbs, and a bazaar of exotic spices. Grab what you can and be sure to save some to open in a couple of decades or beyond, when you can thank us again.

Probably not enough to last long, though. You know what to do.

96 Points – Wine Advocate “Here’s a wine that takes us to a vintage that excels in terms of general fruit clarity and precision. The 2021 Giusto di Notri is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot that ages in new oak (50% of the wine) with the other half going into second- and third-passage barrel. Intensity and depth are highlighted nicely here in a vintage that ended on October 16th (much later than 2020). This benefits complexity and aromas. The vintage also delivers more freshness and balanced tannins (without the sharper edges you get in 2020). This is a beautiful wine, one that's set up for long cellar aging. Drink 2024-2040.”

96 Points – Falstaff “Rich, deep dark ruby purple colour. Present and rich nose, thrills with notes of blackcurrant, mulberries and blackberries, savoury nuances of cedar, some grape sugar. Fine tannins, unfolds continuously, shows rich grip, clear dark berries, firm drive on the finish, good freshness and juiciness.”

96 Points – James Suckling “Intense aromas of red currants, sweet tobacco, lead pencil, and terra-cotta. Medium to full body with polished tannins that are very well-integrated into the wine. It is racy and long with lovely mocha and subtle fruit at the end. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot. Drink after 2028.”