On Thursday last week James Suckling released his most recent Tuscan 2012 vintage report, which included a small number of 2013s. The 2013 vintage is already being heralded as exceptional, potentially on par with the 2010 vintage. Suckling awarded Redigaffi 2013 99 points, drawing a close comparison to the 1997 vintage which he scored 100 points, ‘A modern example of the legendary 1997 but more elegant’.
Considering this early praise and the expectation of the 2013 vintage in Tuscany, Redigaffi 2013 looks destined for 100 points. Redigaffi also shares the same Tuscan Oenologist Luca d’Attoma, who oversaw the 100 point 2012 Saffredi Le Pupille. D’Attoma has already stated that he believes the 2013 vintages, due to its long growing cycle, is similar to the 2010, but with more stuffing. This belief led D’Attoma and the proprietor Stefano Frascolla to select two barrels from the oldest Redigaffi plots to make a special selection ‘Vecchie Vigne’ to be bottled in magnum and released next year.
Redigaffi has been awarded 100 points twice, once in 2000 by the Wine Advocate and the aforementioned 1997. Its acclaim is growing every year and is one of the perennially highest scoring wines in the world. It is fast becoming considered one of the leading 100% Merlots and rivals Masseto, which has more than twice the production of Redigaffi and is four times the price on release. In fact Isa Bal the Master Sommelier of the Fat Duck describes Redigaffi as ‘one of the top three Merlots in the world‘.
Moreover and perhaps most interestingly, Redigaffi has recently become a darling in Asia and with a production of only 600-700 cases, it will become extremely costly to secure Redigaffi in the coming years. James Suckling who lives in Asia, has stated that ‘The pure merlot, which is one of the hottest collectible wines in Asia, is pure magic with balance, richness and clarity.’ This is instructive indeed and the 2013 Redigaffi is one to own, along with the 2010, they are the future 1997 and 2000 which trade at stratospheric prices.
Like Masseto, Redigaffi is made of 100% Merlot and aged lavishly for 18 months in new oak. In fact it derives from extremely low yielding, densely planted vines and experiences long 27 day maceration. The terroir is phenomenal, lying 100 meters above sea level in Notri, Suvereto. It is made up of medium textured clay and sand which mimics that of Petrus and helps retain water through the warm summers. The soil also has rich micro-elements of iron and zinc, which leads to wonderful minerality and fresh acidity.