Tua Rita - Syrah Per Sempre 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.

"Spicy, sweet and full of dark fruit, the Tua Rita 2023 Syrah Per Sempre is a strikingly expressive wine. Syrah can risk allowing structure to overwhelm varietal character, but as proprietor Stefano Frascolla notes, that is emphatically not the case here, making 2023 a particularly successful vintage in this regard. The wine is lively and vibrant on the palate with bright acidity. Winemaking favors an infusion-style approach with whole berries and more skins, increasing volume during maceration to build body without heaviness. The wine grows in dimension rather than fruit weight. Sweetly spiced on the close and beautifully poised, this Syrah feels different from earlier expressions yet is deeply convincing." - 98 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Subtle aromas of crushed stones, blackberries, blueberries and flint follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins and a refined finish. Hints of sandalwood and nutmeg with a citrus undertone. Elegant and pretty. Shows a precise and soft hand in the vineyard and winemaking. Sustainable. Drinkable already, but will age beautifully. Drink or hold." - 97 points, James Suckling

Producer: Tua Rita

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Syrah

Appellation: Toscana IGT

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml