Tua Rita - Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 2023

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.

"With a history spanning more than 30 vintages, the Tua Rita 2023 Giusto di Notri is composed predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and remains one of the estate’s defining wines. The 2023 vintage benefited from relatively cool soils thanks to rain showers that preserved fresh acidity. The style emphasizes verticality and finesse, achieved through an infusion-like approach during fermentation in which berries are gently broken to increase skin contact without aggressive extraction, taking advantage of naturally soft skins. Pump-overs were limited to one or two per day, prioritizing delicacy over power. The result is a refined and expressive wine with lifted freshness and a graceful character." - 96 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"A juicy and savory red with aromas of blackcurrants, fresh sage and rosemary. It’s medium- to full-bodied with creamy tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Shows finesse and polish. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Needs two or three years to soften, but is already very pretty. Sustainable. Drink or hold." - 95 points, James Suckling

Producer: Tua Rita

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc 

Appellation: Toscana IGT

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml