CAIAROSSA TOSCANA

TUSCANY, ITALY 

Why Buy: The British wine site Wine Alchemy has hailed the wines of Caiarossa as "magic," and James Suckling has declared them one of his "go-to Super-Tuscans, because of their drinkability and complexity." Our recent tasting of their portfolio only reaffirmed what they and we have known for years: these wines are special. We've selected 2 vintages for your drinking pleasure (including the 96-point 2019 vintage and the 95-point 2020 vintage), and we do mean pleasure: these are rich, hedonistic wines that will press all your buttons.

What They're Saying: James Suckling called the 96-point 2019 Toscana "an intense, full-bodied yet very well-balanced and polished red with velvety, firm and caressing tannins." Antonio Galloni of Vinous was sent into even greater raptures over the 95-point 2020, declaring it "the best wine I have tasted off this property in some time, perhaps ever. Rich, deep and yet not at all heavy."

The Story: Twenty years ago, Eric Albada Jelgersma, the Dutch owner of Bordeaux classified growth Château Giscours, had a notion that the Val di Cecina — a rolling, sun-dappled patch of Tuscany that lies between the ancient cities of Volterra and Pisa, and that has captivated romantics for centuries, from the days of the Roman empire through the Renaissance and up to today — was more than a land of edenic beauty and deep historical significance. Could its terroir, with its twelve different soils and eleven grape varieties, one day produce wines of the very first rank? Purchasing a verdant and rolling plot of land and teaming with winemaker Lorenzo Pasquini — who previously held the same title at Château d’Yquem director Pierre Lurton’s esteemed Argentinian winery, Cheval des Andes — he attempted to find out. The results have been nothing short of spectacular, validating Jelgersma’s every instinct. Jelgersma died in 2018, but his children, Dennis, Derk and Valérie, have carried on his vision with unerring focus.

Our Tasting Notes: It takes all of a sip — in this case, a sensual and lingering sip — to know that these are wines built on biodynamic principles, and that they have been shepherded through a slow, methodical, and complex process with exceeding care. Jelgersma rightly perceived the Val di Cecina to be a kind of oenological holy land, needing only tending and love to prove itself, and that terroir shines through undeniably in these wines. But great wines are built, step by precise step, and that quality of craft is also very much on display here.

Fun Fact: Jelgersma was a passionate art collector, and among his cache of Old Masters were two portraits by the Dutch artist Frans Hals.

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in GA, KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024.