Tua Rita

Located in the Suvereto sub-zone of Tuscany (just below the famed Bolgheri zone), Rita Tua has been crafting some of the greatest Cabernet and Merlot based wines of Tuscany. As in Bolgheri (where Sassciaia and Ornellaia are situated), Suvereto is particularly inclined (due to its clay soils and maritime positioning) to the perfect ripening of Cabernet and Merlot. When purchased by Rita and her now deceased husband their intention was to produce wines under the radar without any fuss or show. The problem was that the wines were just too good! The vineyard was forced into the spotlight with a 100pt Wine Adovcate rating for its 1997 pure Merlot SuperTuscan “Redigaffi”. Redigaffi continues to turn out performances that make it one of Italy’s and the world’s foremost expressions of Merlot—not to mention one of the hardest to acquire. Year in and year out the wines are sold prior to their arrival here in the States, make it one of Vino Italiano’s toughest wines to stock! The winery’s Bordeaux Blend “Guisto dei Notri” has enjoyed similar success with lofty ratings and more importantly excellent wine. It is a blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot. Giusto is always know for having unparelled class, concentration, deep fruit, with coffee and chocolate notes. Their high end bottling are rounded out by the newest member (debuting in 2001) a mono-varietal Syrah called “Scrio”, which is now considered on of the finest of Italy. Aside from their collectible bottlings mentioned above, Tua Rita makes an impressive array of affordable wines as well. The Rosso dei Notri, technically in the entry-level position, but neve drinking as such, is one of Tuscany’s best values. It is sourced from proprietor Stefano Frascolla’s (the son-in-law of Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti) tiny 6.5-acre estate. Perlato del Bosco brings out Sangiovese’s tell tale ripeness when grown in this zone. Initial vintages were 100% Sangiovese, however more recent have included small doses of Cabernet. The white counterpart to Perlato is an aromatic, concentrated blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling; Lodano, their only other white, is comprised of 50% Riesling and 50% Chardonnay.