Tua Rita - Redigaffi Toscana 2019

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.

Luca D'Attoma, the estate’s winemaker, keeps yields to a minimum to ensure concentration of flavors. The estate’s total annual production is currently just 3400 cases.

A breathtaking, iconic 100% Merlot, is the flagship wine of the House and a benchmark Merlot from Italy. The perfectly manicured vineyards are planted at extreme high density –up to 3,300 vines per acre - to ensure low yields and the greatest quality of the grapes. Extra long – up to 27 days - maceration with the skins and manual, frequent punchdowns allow for Redigaffi’s outstanding concentration and complexity. Matured 12-16 months in Allier and Tronçais oak barrels for exceptional smoothness. Redigaffi is unfiltered to preserve its plush aromas, and refined in the bottle to ensure the greatest elegance upon release.

Redigaffi has an intense color that arouses enthusiasm and satisfy the sight, it highlights great complexity characterized by the fruity attack in the mouth leaving then “room” to tobacco and liquorice notes. Good concentration given by the pre-harvesting activity, three passages and perfect maturation reached by our grapes.
Outstanding complexity. Floral notes typical of our “Macchia Mediterranea” are intense and persistent. The elegance of tannins is enhanced by the great structure and balance. Considerable extraction and good acidity.

"Owner Stefano Frascolla describes 2019 as 'a dream vintage' and describes how the vines 'underwent all the stages of their phenolic development at the optimum times.' For me, the 2019 Redigaffi is a wine of sublime harmony and balance and it reminds me very much of the 2016. It is absolutely brimming with ripe black cherry, cream and blackcurrant flavours encased in compact, super-fine tannins that are firm yet so elegant and refined. Energetic and vivacious in character, it is still not completely formed but has all the ingredients for a great future." - 100 points, Decanter

"Aromas of violets, blackberries and black truffles follow through to a full body with firm, silky tannins with lots of texture that’s caressing and enticing. Such polish and beauty. Very long and powerful. So much structure this year. 100% merlot. Best after 2024." - 98 points, James Suckling

"Stefano Frascolla describes this as "a dream vintage with a mild spring and a sunny summer with a few rain showers sprinkled throughout." Those rains served to refresh the vines and moderate phenolic ripening. The Tua Rita 2019 Redigaffi is a true beauty and is the perfect vintage to conclude this historic retrospective. The wine is generous and full with deep layers of black fruit, leather, tar and spice. This is the vintage on the market now, and it's absolutely one of the most age-worthy editions in this tasting." - 97 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Tua Rita

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Merlot

Appellation: Toscana IGT

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml