and more:
• Tua Rita & Le Macchiole Sampler
• Toscana's Revolutionaries
• The Sophisticated Collector's Club

Masseto, Messorio, and Redigaffi

These are possibly the three most sought-after wines of Toscana. The “aia” trifecta of Sassicaia, Solaia, and Ornellaia proved that Italy was more than capable of mastering the noble varietials and claret-style blends. However, Toscana’s winemakers’ quest for achievement broke new ground with a focus on delivering single-varietal wines. Bolgheri in the mid-nineties showcased wines of even greater distinction with single vineyard Merlots rivalling the historic Pomerol estates in tastings around the globe. Lodivico Antinori and Andre Tchelistcheff introduced the now mythical Masseto, and Eugenio Campolmi of Le Macchiole gave the world Messorio (as well as Scrio, Italy’s highest quality Syrah), further illustrating the talents of Bolgheri's terroir and winemakers.

Building on the foundation of Bolgheri's pioneers, a second generation of avant-garde producers continues to achieve the purest expression of monovarietal cuvees. Just 15 miles south of Bolgheri, near the town of Suverto, Tua Rita’s Redigaffi has joined the ranks of Masseto and Messorio. Their greatness is not derived of quality and vintage alone, but also of consistency, since this estate is capable of producing quality wines even in off vintages.

Today we feature the cult wines of Tua Rita and the pioneering efforts of Le Macchiole. While these Merlot focused wines are among Italy’s most collected, each producer additionally makes a classic claret-style wine and a take on the native Sangiovese, offering value and quality at all price points for wine enthusiasts to enjoy. Read on below to learn more about these wines and their producers. Should you have any additional questions or wish to purchase these wines, please call Perry Porricelli at 212.473.2323.

Click for more on the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia!

Tua Rita: They Just Keep Getting Better

Redigaffi....the critics rave about it, collectors scour the earth for it, and we love it as well. Next to Ornellaia's Masseto, it is perhaps Italy's greatest 100% Merlot. This ripe, succulent wine laced with tobacco-scented fruit is just one of the hedonistic reds produced from this small Tuscan estate located in the medieval town of Suverto. The estate gained legendary status beginning in 1984, when Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti purchased it; a major advance came in 1988 when they introduced Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to the land, which is rich in clay and silt. Their first breakthrough came when the 1992-1994 vintages of Giusto dei Notri, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, were unanimously deemed spectacular.

Tua Rita's rich, full-bodied reds are made under winemaker Stefano Chioccioli, whose resume includes Allegrini, I Giusti e Zanza, and Fanti. He and the owners have reached cult-like status and established this estate as the leader in a second generation of Super Tuscans that builds on the foundation developed by early pioneers.

Redigaffi: Tua Rita's Masterpiece

The perennial Tre Bicchieri winner and Parker favorite is made entirely of the finest Merlot grapes and is completely unfined and unfiltered. A mere 400 cases are produced annually, placing it among Toscana’s most sought-after cult wines. Named after a small river near the Tua Rita estate, Redigaffi is aged in French barrels for a period of sixteen months. Deep ruby in color with garnet hues. Powerful aromas of blackberries, spices, smoke, and licorice entice the senses, as succulent and elegant fruit rewards the palate. With harmonious balance, this is a smooth, delicate wine with a long finish.

2002 $249.69 (750 ml)

Giusto dei Notri: Tua Rita's Flagship Red

With just over 1,600 cases produced annually, this is a must-have for any true Tuscan wine lover. Named after the homonymous vineyard and the patron saint of Suverto, San Giusto, this Bordeaux-style blend is 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, and 5% cabernet franc. Deep purple color with phenomenally intense aromas of blackberries, espresso, vanilla, and licorice. Abundant black fruit and earthiness explode on the palate. Full-bodied and concentrated with rich, sweet tannins that signal aging potential. A resonant, lingering finish.

2002 $79.69 (750 ml)

Perlato del Bosco: Tua Rita's Tribute to Terroir

Produced in the Perlato del Bosco vineyard, this wine is 100% Sangiovese. A long maceration of the skins and must, typically 15-18 days, is the key behind maximum extraction. Following maceration the wine is aged for 20 months in oak barrels and then for another 6 months in the bottle. Deep purple color with dark and very intense aromas of blackberry, cocoa, and spice. Mouthfeel that is rich, soft, and smooth. Full-bodied, dense, and spicy on the palate with a finish that lingers.

2002 $39.69 (750 ml)

Rosso dei Notri: Tua Rita's New Child

70% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the latest addition to Tua Rita’s family. A younger, more approachable version of the estate’s flagship red, Giusto dei Notri, this wine displays lovely ripe red fruit on both the nose and the palate.

2003 $24.69 (750 ml)

Click here to order the wines of Tua Rita!

Le Macchiole: One Bottle Per Vine

Situated in Tuscany’s hotbed of famous estates, Le Macchiole’s modest 25 acres produce some of the most consistently outstanding wine in Bolgheri. The extraordinary quality-focused dedication of the Campolmi family has shown outstanding results. Bottling fine wine since 1975, they gained momentum in 1984 when Bolgheri wines really began enjoying world-wide acclaim. Then in 1992, Le Macchiole's Paleo tied for first place with the coveted Sassicaia and Ornellaia in a comparative tasting of Tuscany’s best, planting the estate’s position on the Italian fine wine scene. When Paleo placed second to Chateau Pichon Lalande at VinItaly 1995, Le Macchiole earned its full stripes, breaking into the forefront of internationally recognized premium estates.

Messorio: In The Shadows of Masseto

The Messorio is one of Bolgheri’s most outstanding renditions of pure Merlot, springing from relatively young vines with restricted yields and consistently vaunting both Gambero Rosso awards and 90+ points from Robert Parker. Collectors vie for this obscure wine of which merely 600 cases are produced each year. A period in barriques and almost two years in the bottle before release bestow a full body, vanilla and voluptuous, jammy red fruit with exotic innuendoes, and smooth tannins.

2000 $249.69 (750 ml)

Scrio: Italy's Most Important Syrah

100% Syrah, most likely the best example of this noble varietal produced on Italian soil. Inspired by great Northern Rhone wines, this project became a passion of Campolmi. Like the Messorio, only 400 cases of this wine are produced annually, and ratings invariably include scores in the 90’s from Parker as well as plaudits from the Gambero Rosso. From a unique soil composition of clay, sand, and rock, this wine demonstrates tremendous concentration and fully expresses the exotic potential of Syrah in the Maremma. Deep purple with a nose of vanilla and licorice dominated by blackberries. More dark fruit harmonizes with truffles and tar on a profound, concentrated palate, leading into a lengthy finish.

2000 $195.69 (750 ml)

Le Macchiole Rosso: Quality For Everyday Consumption

A vibrant red made from 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for a full year in old barriques. Strong and meaty with scrub brush, rosemary, frutti di bosco, mocha, and a hint of crème brulée. Full-bodied with forgiving tannins and a thick, jammy mouthfeel.

1999 $29.69 (750 ml)
2000 $29.69 (750 ml)

Click to order the wines of Le Macchiole by fax!

Tua Rita & Le Macchiole Sampler

Try six of the most eminent Super Tuscans in either a six pack (1 of each) or a case sampler (2 of each). These wines are creations of the Tua Rita and Le Macchiole estates, which have played integral roles in this progressive movement. From bottles that showcase individual varieties to creative wines that incorporate the best examples of various grapes, these selections illustrate the qualities that have brought fame to the Super Tuscans.

Tua Rita 2002 Giusto dei Notri $79.69 (750 ml)
Tua Rita 2002 Perlato del Bosco $39.69 (750 ml)
Tua Rita 2002 Redigaffi $249.69 (750 ml)
Le Macchiole 1999 Rosso $29.69 (750 ml)
Le Macchiole 2000 Rosso $29.69 (750 ml)
Le Macchiole 2000 Scrio $195.69 (750 ml)

IWM Tua Rita & Le Macchiole Six Pack (6): $624.14*
IWM Tua Rita & Le Macchiole Case (12): $1,248.28*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click here to order the Tua Rita & Le Macchiole six-pack by fax!

Toscana's Revolutionaries

In the 1960’s, to craft a Bordeaux-style wine in Italy was unheard of, and Tuscany was still looking to secure its place as a quality wine region. Yet creative, defiant producers like Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Le Macchiole, and Tenuta San Guido broke away from the restrictive regulations of the DOC and DOCG to make the very first Super Tuscans. Putting their faith in the terroir, they took a chance and prevailed with wines like Ornellaia, Sassicaia, and Paleo Rosso.

With the door ajar thanks to these innovators, the spirit of freedom spread. More producers, including Tua Rita, Tenuta di Trinoro, and Le Pupille, experimented with new grapes and techniques to bring out the best in the land of Bolgheri. Further proving the value of this new breed, they created fantastic wines that have since become classics that are respected across the globe. This Super-Tuscan six-pack goes back to the origins with three founders and three great producers from the second wave of this revolutionary movement.

Bolgheri's Founding Fathers:
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2001 Ornellaia $125.00 (750 ml)
Tenuta San Guido 2001 Sassicaia $147.00 (750 ml)

Toscana's New Avant-Garde:
Tua Rita Giusto dei Notri 2002 $79.69 (750 ml) - 2 bottles
Tenuta di Trinoro 1999 Rosso $120.28 (750 ml)
Le Pupille 2000 Saffredi $97.00 (750 ml)

IWM Super Tuscan Six Pack (6): $648.66*
IWM Super Tuscan Case Sampler (12): $1,278.08*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click to order this six-pack by fax!

The Sophisticated Collector's Club

Discover new gems for your cellar each month with IWM’s wine club for the collector, Sergio’s Cellar Passport. Through IWMs' Patron Wine Club, Sergio opens the cellar doors to include members in something rare and unique. Selections are not based on inventory, but rather driven by the desire to enlighten enthusiasts to the world of high quality Italian wine.

This is an exceptional approach to adding sophisticated Italian wines to your portfolio of French Bordeauxs and California Cult wines. Experience the elegance of Ornellaia's claret-style blend and the grace of Mascarello's legendary Barolos. Additionally, monthly selections will include high caliber wines from the likes of Tua Rita, Sandrone and Santa Restituta.

Accompanied by informative producer and tasting notes, they will enrich your grasp on Italian wine; whether you lay them all down or sample them to choose your favorites for your cellar, these wines are sure to impress. In addition to receiving these wines well below market value, members have other benefits. For more information about the Sergio's Cellar Passport or our other wine club levels, please contact Chris Deas at 212.473.2323.

Give the perfect gift, an IWM wine club. Click to explore!