Tua Rita - Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 2022

Rita Tua and her husband, Virgilio Bisti, bought approximately 37.5 acres of land in 1984 and planted it with Cabernet and Merlot. They later purchased an additional 17.5 acres of land, bringing the total estate to 55 acres, of which about 45 are planted with vines. The winery released its first vintage in 1992, and soon began receiving praise and accolades from wine enthusiasts worldwide for its rich, full-bodied wines. In just five short years, its 100% Merlot had achieved cult-like status, receiving outstanding ratings from the world’s most prestigious wine critics and publications. Critic Robert M. Parker Jr. said the 1999 Redigaffi was “as close to perfection as a wine can get.” The following year, he gave the 2000 Redigaffi a perfect 100 score. The winery’s Bordeaux blend, Giusti di Notri, also garners near-universal praise. Little wonder that Tua Rita’s wines are considered among the most difficult to find in Italy.

Tua Rita is located in Suvereto, a small medieval town in the Tuscan province of Livorno, on the coast south of Bolgheri. The winery lies at just 300 feet above sea level, on clay, silty soil.

Giusto di Notri is a Bordeaux-inspired blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, selectively harvested in September. After a gentle pressing, the juice and skins macerate for a lengthy period of 25-30 days to add concentration and depth to the final wine. The wine is then aged for 18-20 months in French oak barrels and refined six months in bottle before release.

The word "Giusto" refers to the name of the Patron Saint of Suvereto (the hilltop Tuscan town where Tua Rita is located) and "Notri" is the name of the winery's exact location.

“This is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Tua Rita 2022 Giusto di Notri reveals an especially creamy and rounded texture that adds to a lovely and long-lasting mouthfeel. There is nothing heavy about the wine, and indeed, this vintage actually feels more streamlined and even a tad shorter compared to other hot-vintage releases of the past. The wine’s appearance is inky dark, and the bouquet shows layers of dark fruit, blackberry, spice and sweet earth.” - 95 Points, Wine Advocate

“Plenty of berry and chocolate fruit with some subtle hazelnut and spice undertones. Dried flowers, too. Medium-bodied with a pretty core of fruit and a savory, succulent finish.” - 94 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Tua Rita

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc 

Appellation: Toscana IGT

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml