[92+ pts Robert Parker] "The 2013 Rapace is a fantastic wine. The blend used here is mostly Sangiovese with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It opens to luscious dark concentration and generous aromas of dark cherry, spice and leather. There are mild mineral tones at the back, such as crushed granite and pencil shaving that ad ... Read More »

[92+ pts Robert Parker] "The 2013 Rapace is a fantastic wine. The blend used here is mostly Sangiovese with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It opens to luscious dark concentration and generous aromas of dark cherry, spice and leather. There are mild mineral tones at the back, such as crushed granite and pencil shaving that add a greater sense of depth and focus to the wine."

[92 pts James Suckling] "Aromas of walnuts, currants and plums here. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Drink now."

[70% Sangiovese selected from Montalcino, 20 % Merlot 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon]

TUSCANY

Tuscany is home to some of the most popular Italian red wines.  Located along the Tyrrehenian coast, the Mediterranean influence and hilly terrain allow Tuscany to offer a wide variety of wine styles.  The mo ... Read More »

TUSCANY

Tuscany is home to some of the most popular Italian red wines.  Located along the Tyrrehenian coast, the Mediterranean influence and hilly terrain allow Tuscany to offer a wide variety of wine styles.  The most popular red grape in Tuscany is Sangiovese.  Most of the Sangiovese wines take on the name of the subregion from where the grapes are grown, provided the winemaker conforms to the D.O.C.G. winemaking laws of that subregion.  For example, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano and Morelino di Scansano are all Tuscan subregions and all Sangiovese based wines.

Some winemakers elect not to confirm to the subregion's winemaking laws; those wines cannot utilize the region's name on the bottle. These nonconforming wines have come to be known as "Super Tuscans" and often resemble Bordeaux blends with some combination of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and/or Merlot.  Many of the elite Super Tuscans come from the Bolgheri area of Tuscany.  With Bolgheri receiving its own D.O.C. designation, Bolgheri on a label is starting to take the prestige and luster away from the unofficial Super Tuscan designation.  

Though reds may be best known in Tuscany, the region has exceptional white wines that are bright and crisp and retain the minerality from the Mediterranean as well.  While Chardonnay can be found in Tuscany, it is more common to find indiginous white grapes like Vernaccia and Vermentino as well as a delicious but lesser know grape, Ansonica.