2018 Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana Magnum (1.5 L) Magnum

Bibi Graetz’s 2018 Testamatta is one of the most spectacular experiences a red-wine lover can have. A 100% Sangiovese sourced from 35- to 50-year-old vines on five of Graetz’s greatest vineyards, the bottling scored 100 points from Jane Anson of Decanter. Her review is worth printing nearly in full:

"Finely textured, with a nuanced perfume that fills the glass and takes you to the intense underbrush of Tuscany. Succulent and yet savoury, this has a lilting freshness that is overlaid with ripe berry fruits, sage and white pepper spice, and clear minerality in terms of its scraping texture that makes your mouth water on the finish. Feels light and sculpted and yet has an intensity that skewers you to the spot. This is a great wine, with scope and imagination that doesn't want to let you go."

Graetz sources this wine from the Vincigliata, Londa, Lamole, Montefili, and Siena vineyards. These sites, which boast a wealth of old vines that run all the way up to 80 years of age, are located all over Tuscany, from the north of Firenze to near Siena, and range in altitude from 250 to 600 meters. Each vineyard parcel is harvested up to eight times to make sure the grapes get picked at perfect ripeness. After selection and destemming at the winery, the wine is fermented with natural yeast in open-top barrels, then aged for two years in old barriques.

The result, in the 2018 vintage, is a flawless Testamatta that will give infinitely to the patient collector. Don’t miss it.