Name: 2016 Tua Rita Redigaffi - 3L
Brand: Tua Rita
SKU: 109614-3-AS
Price: 999 USD
Availability: InStock

2016 Tua Rita Redigaffi

99 JS

Qty:

Featured Review

The aromas of violets, roses and lavender are captivating. Turns to spices and hazelnuts. So complex. This full-bodied wine grows and grows on the palate, yet it remains agile and fresh. Plenty of energy in the palate. More powerful than the perfect 2015. We will see which is better in the end. Great wine. Try in 2022. James Suckling

James Suckling | 99 JS

2016 was an exceptional vintage in Tuscany and, according to Stefano, the best in 20 years. The cool night temperatures allowed for beautifully precise aromatics and perfectly ripe, harmonious tannins. This wine expresses the vintage beautifully and is the best Redigaffi I have tasted - simply stunning! Complex and tightly wound, it carries its 15% alcohol really well. There are hints of roasted coffee beans and green herbs on the nose, while the palate is super-concentrated yet beautifully balanced, with very fine-textured tannins. Blackcurrant, smoky plum and liquorice flavours are joined by a lovely freshness. A beauty. Drinking Window 2020 - 2040.

Decanter | 100 DEC

The 2016 Redigaffi is another absolutely compelling wine in this range. Explosive and opulent, the 2016 manages to be both spectacularly rich and yet also retain tremendous freshness. Blueberry jam, lavender, crushed rocks and sweet oak all build as this sumptuous yet structured Merlot shows off its considerable personality. In 2016, Redigaffi is energetic, persistent and also very classy. Drink it over the next decade or so.

Antonio Galloni | 97 AG

This vintage hits it out of the ballpark. The Tua Rita 2016 Redigaffi is everything you should expect in terms of complexity, depth and the quality of its bouquet. The wine is especially balanced and focused with pinpoint aromas of dark cherry, plum, spice, tar and dried garden herb. The mouthfeel is generous and rich, but it also offers very silky and long tannins that give the wine its long, persistent mouthfeel. The 2016 vintage is an icon, and the wine has many long years of aging ahead.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RP

Supple, featuring pure black cherry, plum, wild herb, spice and licorice flavors that mesh with the well-integrated structure. Harmonious, remaining defined and juicy on the lingering finish. Though concentrated, this stays fresh and energetic, showing finesse and poise. Merlot. Drink now through 2033. 1,150 cases made, 90 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 95 WS

Type of Wine	Italy Red
Varietal	Merlot : With 266,000 hectares (657,300 acres) of vines spanning the planet, Merlot lands in 2nd place among all grape varietals planted in the world. Despite its inability to crack the top spot for most popular grape, it has remained under the radar performing as silent majority in the hallowed soils of its own origin, Bordeaux. Merlot is the most widely cultivated grape varietal in France, dominating the southwest regions, most notably, the Right bank. It is the body, mind and soul of some of the most collectable, influential and revered wines in the world. Merlot has never had its time in the spotlight; nevertheless, has been quietly supplying the backbone for some of the most prominent wines in the Right Back since the 18th century. Merlot first appeared in French literature in 1784 when a French official claimed the wines produced from ‘Merlau’ (local French Dialect for Merlot) were the finest of its time. It is speculated that the name Merlot is derived from the French word, ‘Merle,’ meaning black bird. Whether the namesake is due to its small, deep black colored berries or the little black birds which had an affinity for the early ripening berries is still unknown. French researchers, using complex DNA fingerprinting technology (first developed by UC Davis) have concluded that Merlot is the offspring of French varietals, Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire. The Noble Bordeaux Varietal of Merlot thrives in its natural host on the Right Bank of the Gironde estuary, where the terroir is composed of rich clay, sand, limestone and iron deposits; and excels in temperate, Mediterranean, maritime climates. It dominates the vineyards of Pomerol and Saint Emilion, which have bred wines of unrivaled quality such as Chateau Petrus and Le Pin (both 100% Merlot). Merlot eventually infiltrated the Medoc (Left Bank) where it found similar and hospitable soils; ultimately influencing the wines produced there by helping to “soften” the varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Its first appearance in America was documented in 1850 when French nurseryman, Antoine Delmas, brought French vines to the Santa Clara Valley. Its inhabitance would inevitably spread to terroir hotspots around the world, such as Italy, Spain, Argentina, South Africa and nearly every wine-producing country in the world. The great and world-renowned Christian Mouiex inclined to state that “when the Merlot grape is planted on the proper terroir and harvested at its peak it produces a wine that is characterized as voluptuous, generous and distinctive.” Merlot may not dwell in the spotlight, nor possess savvy titles like its relative, Cabernet Sauvignon but rather, is the blue-collar of grape varieties, laboring to produce some of the greatest wines in the world. Though Merlot was traditionally considered a secondary and blending varietal (which it is quite successful at) conversely, is quite sustainable and capable on its own. From the illustrious Chateau Petrus in Pomerol, to Pahlmeyer in the famed Napa Valley and on to the Tuscan Legend, Masseto, all of which are composed of 100% Merlot, prove the importance and resilience of the Merlot grape varietal. The magic of Merlot has entranced the world with its subtle, soft, sensuous texture and adaptability as well also its aptitude for producing wines that can age effortlessly for decades.
Country	Italy : Italy is renowned as one of the world’s greatest gastronomic havens; from certified Prosciutto di Parma to the sea-side seafood eateries on the island of Sicily. However, this epicurean experience could not possibly be as hedonistic without the ethereal combination of the country’s plethora of fine wines. It seems unfair that a nation should be able to boast, both, some of the world’s greatest cuisine as well as its greatest wines. Italian wine is one of the most sought after in the world, and has become the second most produced in the world, behind only France. Stretching an impressive 736 miles from northern Italy to the peninsula’s southern tip, the country’s geography generates an enormous array of topography, climate and soil structure. This is an extremely important quality of its winegrowing and making industry which lays claim to nearly 550 different grape varietals, which all desire their own necessities, in terms of terroir and climate. The still red wines of Italy truly characterize the nation’s vast and expansive terroir; Nebbiolo dominates Piedmont, where Barolo and Barbaresco reign king and queen of the region’s production. Hailing from Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany, the rockstar Sangiovese grape has become synonymous with greatness. Vin Santo sweet wines have taken on a mighty feat of competing with the glorious wines of Sauternes, and of course, Prosecco. Prosecco, located in Trieste (northeast Italy) and its creation of luxuriously effervescent styles of wine has become Italy’s answer to Champagne. The Glera grape variety, which has become synonymous with the name Prosecco, is the main ingredient and is beloved in the appellation where the village of Prosecco’s name has become world renowned. The blurred boundary between Italy and the countries of Slovenia and Austria, where German influence still resonates through Friuli wines. The prevalence of Riesling and other such grape varietals is high in this region and have become extremely popular on today’s market. With nearly 702,000 hectares of grapevines covering the massive and diverse landscape, Italy’s annual average of 48.3 million hectoliters of wine production is second only to France in terms of volume and Spain in terms of hectares of vines. The country is vast and overwhelming when it comes to the culinary arts, but perhaps even this is overshadowed by its production of some of the world’s most sought after wines, whether the omnipresent Chianti to the highly collectible and sought after Amarone della Valpolicalla.
Region	Tuscany : Italian culture worships the concept of a shared meal, and their wines scream for a chance to be uncorked with your friends and family. The region's Mediterranean climate and hilly landscape combine to create a beautiful viticultural environment, where every chosen grape is brought to its full potential and transmuted into drinks worthy of gods. The vineyards are planted along the higher reaches of the hill slopes, creating a gorgeous view of the Italian landscape. Once your lips kiss the wine, you're sent spiraling down a veritable whirlpool of pure flavor, touching upon notes of sensuous cherry, nuts, floral hints and undertones of honey and minerals. The wines can be as sweet as a fresh summer romance, and carry an air of dignity and elegance about them that can stimulate your intellect for months as you contemplate the seemingly infinite intricacies and details in the texture. Tuscany is an important part of Italian viticulture, and sampling their wines is the closest you can get to visiting this heavenly region and experiencing the culture.
Subregion	Super Tuscan/IGT

Producer	Tua Rita : In the beginning, their dream was to live a simple lifestyle, farming the Tuscan countryside, in close proximity to nature. But dreams are meant to change with growth and an overwhelming passion for wine would eventually change Virgilio Bisti and Rita Tua’s modest intentions into a globally recognized brand. Their humble two hectare vineyard would become the building block for what is now one of the most recognized estates in the world…Tua Rita. In its relatively short history, the estate has become a global sensation in the world of wine, achieving critical-acclaim for its wines. In 1984, Rita and Virgilio were in search of a tranquil retreat in which to enjoy retirement and perhaps grow some vines. What ensued was nothing like the quit, leisurely life they planned. Their vineyards had expanded to 9 hectares in less than a decade and by 2000, the estate was earning great praise from wine professionals and critics. Their 1999 Redigaffi was rated a 99 point-score from Robert Parker who stated that it was, “as close to perfection as a wine can get.” The following year, the 2000 vintage Redigaffi was awarded a perfect 100 point-score (by Robert Parker) which was penultimate to the transformation from a “vins de garage” winery into a “Super Tuscan” producer. The last remaining task was to increase and ready their property for the production of their “now” globally celebrated wines. The winemaking facility was extended and redesigned for the production of high profile wines. It has been strictly adapted to the winemaking process of Italian tradition, with minimal human intervention. Tua Rita is located in Suvereto, in the district of Colline Metallifere (upper Maremma) where they currently cultivate thirty hectares of vines. The property rests on gently sloping hillsides where the soil has a substantial amount of pebbles and stones, clay, silt, sand and crucially important mineral trace elements including zinc. This spectacular terroir is cared for with rigorous and passionate determination. Varietals are expertly cultivated in the most suitable vineyard sites according to variety. Their beloved Merlot is planted mid slope, in markedly clayey soils with fairly significant pebble fraction. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in soils with heavier amounts of gravel. The vineyards harvest a plethora of other varietals, including Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Trebbiano, Riesling and Chardonnay to name a “few”. These varietals are used in the production of their award-winning wines, including their flagship Redigaffi (100% Merlot) Guisto di Notri, Perlato del Bosco, Rossi di Notri and the whites of Lodano Bianco and Perlato del Bosco Bianco (among others). Tua Rita’s portfolio has expanded over the years, achieving much favorable press; however, Redigaffi and Guisto di Notri have garnered the greatest attention. They are recognized as among some of the finest Italian wines produced; the flag-ship being considered the best Merlot in Italy, while Guisto di Nortri also garnering nearly-universal praise. Tua Rita, which’s name is derived from an inversion of Rita Tua’s first and last name, is celebrated for its many accomplishments and many contributions to the Italian wine industry. Tua Rita put the Suvereto DOC (Denominazation di Origine Controllata) on the map and established what has become the Suvereto DOCG (Denominazation di Origine Controllata e Garanita) as a rival to the Bolgheri DOC. This is an incredible feat given the high acclaim Bolgheri wines consistently receive. Their wines have reached “cult” status and due to low yields, there is high demand and short supply, making Tua Rita among the most difficult wines to find in Italy. Their portfolio combined has an annual production of 220,000 bottles, of which a mere 10,000 accounts for the flag-ship, Redigaffi. The estate made history with their “now” legendary 2000 Redigaffi becoming the first Italian wine to be rated 100 points by Robert Parker, helping to place Italian wines in the elite category of world-class wines. A far cry from modest intentions and a humble retirement plan.