The Story
Tua Rita Redigaffi 2010 is a legendary expression of 100% Merlot that stands as one of the most iconic and highly rated wines in Italian history. The 2010 vintage in Tuscany is widely considered a "masterpiece" year, characterized by a long, cool growing season that allowed for exceptional aromatic complexity, structural power, and a vibrant acidity that ensures immense longevity. Sourced from the estate's oldest, low-yielding vines in the mineral-heavy soils of Suvereto, it was matured for approximately 18 months in 100% new French oak barriques.
On the nose, it delivers a monumental and evolving bouquet of blackberry liqueur, black cherry, and crushed violets, seamlessly integrated with sophisticated notes of dark chocolate, liquorice, and graphite. The palate is full-bodied and profoundly concentrated, yet it possesses a seamless, velvety texture that masks its significant power. Flavours of black forest fruit and espresso are underpinned by the signature ferrous minerality of the estate, leading to an incredibly long, resonant finish with firm, noble tannins and a persistent balsamic lift.
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast
An unforgettable expression of Merlot from coastal Tuscany, this ranks among the top-scoring icon wines of the world. Smooth and intense, this selection's integration of fruit and oak-derived spice aromas is seamless. It feels silky yet firm, and it imparts beautiful cherry and chocolate flavors that last for many minutes. This is a keeper: Age it for 10 years or more.
95 Points - James Suckling
This has aromas of fresh blackberries, plum stones, asphalt and tobacco leaves. Some salty caper notes. Lovely freshness and balance here, with fine and elegant tannins. 100% merlot. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the year of many transformational changes at Tua Rita. The most important of which is the death of Tua Rita founder Virgilio Bisti (Rita Tua's husband and Stefano Frascolla's father-in-law). It is also the last year that Stefano Chioccioli worked as the consulting winemaker before Luca D'Attoma would return to the post he occupied previously. (As a side note, it is the first vintage I reviewed for Robert Parker Wine Advocate after joining the publication. From this point forward, I am rescoring wines against my own scores.) I remember falling in love with the 2010 Redigaffi when I first tasted it those many years ago. Today, I find an elegant wine that is a little closed on the nose. A hailstorm on August 17th broke up a classic growing season. This wine shows freshness and some herbal overtones, but it also feels slightly more evolved and tertiary.
92 Points - Wine Spectator
Dark, with juicy black cherry and blackberry flavors, accented by cedar and sandalwood from the new oak. An herbal note enters the mix as this glides to the long finish. Powerful yet poised. Merlot. Best from 2015 through 2025.
Description
Tua Rita Redigaffi 2010 is a legendary expression of 100% Merlot that stands as one of the most iconic and highly rated wines in Italian history. The 2010 vintage in Tuscany is widely considered a "masterpiece" year, characterized by a long, cool growing season that allowed for exceptional aromatic complexity, structural power, and a vibrant acidity that ensures immense longevity. Sourced from the estate's oldest, low-yielding vines in the mineral-heavy soils of Suvereto, it was matured for approximately 18 months in 100% new French oak barriques.
On the nose, it delivers a monumental and evolving bouquet of blackberry liqueur, black cherry, and crushed violets, seamlessly integrated with sophisticated notes of dark chocolate, liquorice, and graphite. The palate is full-bodied and profoundly concentrated, yet it possesses a seamless, velvety texture that masks its significant power. Flavours of black forest fruit and espresso are underpinned by the signature ferrous minerality of the estate, leading to an incredibly long, resonant finish with firm, noble tannins and a persistent balsamic lift.
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast
An unforgettable expression of Merlot from coastal Tuscany, this ranks among the top-scoring icon wines of the world. Smooth and intense, this selection's integration of fruit and oak-derived spice aromas is seamless. It feels silky yet firm, and it imparts beautiful cherry and chocolate flavors that last for many minutes. This is a keeper: Age it for 10 years or more.
95 Points - James Suckling
This has aromas of fresh blackberries, plum stones, asphalt and tobacco leaves. Some salty caper notes. Lovely freshness and balance here, with fine and elegant tannins. 100% merlot. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the year of many transformational changes at Tua Rita. The most important of which is the death of Tua Rita founder Virgilio Bisti (Rita Tua's husband and Stefano Frascolla's father-in-law). It is also the last year that Stefano Chioccioli worked as the consulting winemaker before Luca D'Attoma would return to the post he occupied previously. (As a side note, it is the first vintage I reviewed for Robert Parker Wine Advocate after joining the publication. From this point forward, I am rescoring wines against my own scores.) I remember falling in love with the 2010 Redigaffi when I first tasted it those many years ago. Today, I find an elegant wine that is a little closed on the nose. A hailstorm on August 17th broke up a classic growing season. This wine shows freshness and some herbal overtones, but it also feels slightly more evolved and tertiary.
92 Points - Wine Spectator
Dark, with juicy black cherry and blackberry flavors, accented by cedar and sandalwood from the new oak. An herbal note enters the mix as this glides to the long finish. Powerful yet poised. Merlot. Best from 2015 through 2025.
