2011 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana Rosso IGT 750 ml

“The Godfather of The Super Tuscan”

In the 1970s, Tuscany was fighting for its viticultural life. Uninspired Sangiovese in squat, straw-wrapped bottles was the best the region had to offer, and it wasn’t much. Mediocrity was the norm and it proved more devastating than Phylloxera. Still, a handful of visionaries knew that there was more to be gleaned from the sun-drenched hills up and down Italy’s central coast.

Chief among these visionaries were Alceo di Napoli Rampolla and Giacomo Tachis. In 1965, Alceo had inherited an incredible property in Chianti’s Conca d’Oro — “golden basin” — and had set out to make wines that would reflect the region’s true greatness. Tachis was then a young graduate of the Enological School of Alba, rising through the ranks of the Antinori family’s San Casciano cellars in Tuscany. Running in the same circles, the two intrepid, forward thinkers, became friends, and it wouldn’t be long before they would change the course of Italy’s viticultural history.

Both Alceo and Giacomo had a fascination with Cabernet Sauvignon, and in 1980 the pair decided to blend it with the region’s native Sangiovese. The results were staggering. Deep, dark, and massively concentrated from the Cabernet, yet elegant and light on its feet, showing Sangiovese’s characteristic vibrancy and wildly aromatic bouquet. The Sammarco was born, and Tuscany would never be the same again.

Three decades later, Sammarco was again at the head of the class, blazing a familiar trail to stardom. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate raved that Sammarco “represents the hot 2011 growing season better than any other wine from the Chianti Classico area,” adding that “the wine’s overall elegance and length are both impressive.” Antonio Galloni chimed in with further praise, noting that, “Rampolla have another gem on their hands with the 2011 Sammarco.” His 96-98 point rating of the 2011 topped superstars Tignanello (95pts/$105), Ornellaia (94+/$240), AND Sassicaia (93/$225). Finally, James Suckling added a 95-point score to his description of the “superb” wine’s “super velvety tannins and long, long finish.”

We would only add that the 2011 Sammarco KNOCKED US OFF OUR FEET. Beautiful dark purple in the glass, the nose bursts forth with dark-berry fruit accented by graphite, smoke, and freshly cut flowers. Rich, voluptuous, and juicy on the palate showing black cherry, raspberry, and plum with licorice and cola. Super-silky, yet powerful tannins and a vibrant freshness complete the long finish. Drink now — if you MUST — or do as we’re doing and lay the 2011 down for a decade or more. Dividends will be paid to the patient.

$120 on release. Considerably less today — only $70 — exclusively on WineAccess. Don’t delay; 300 bottles will be gone in a flash.