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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
An array of elegant, top scoring Super Tuscan blends from outstanding vintages, these exceptional Caiarossa selections are crafted from an exceptional terroir above Bolgheri with French expertise, the estate's flagship cuvee described as “one of the Italian wines closest to Bordeaux both in DNA and winemaking” by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner and unbeatably priced at a fraction of nearby Sassicaia and Ornellaia for Tuscan wine lovers and collectors to stock the cellar and enjoy often.
Located on the northern Tuscan coast near the beautiful hilltop town of Riparbella, the wooded 100 hectare Caiarossa estate boasts sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, its hilly terrain covered with the brilliant red or “rossa” gravelly soil for which it is named and enjoying a steady rise in quality under the ownership of the Albada Jelgersma family since 2004, also owners of Bordeaux estates du Tertre and Giscours. Spread across three sites averaging 600 meters above sea level, the estate’s biodynamically farmed vineyards are planted with eight different red varietals of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes as well as Tuscany’s native Sangiovese, the blend varying from vintage but maintaining a consistent style under Decanter Rising Star consultant Alex Marchal who ferments the varietals separately with native yeasts before aging the blend in a mix of new and used French oak barrels and resting it in concrete before further time in bottle. Earning a spot on James Suckling’s Top 100 Italian Wines of 2019, the elegant 97 pt. 2016 Caiarossa is a harmonious blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot described by the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson as “youthful and fresh, with a firm structure and a long, saturated finish of dark fruit” and ready to enjoy over the next decade. A blend of mostly Cabernet Franc and Syrah with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and a little Grenache, the stunning 96 pt. 2019 Caiarossa is “balanced and fresh” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner boasting “thick layers of dark fruit, crushed stone, tobacco and exotic spice,” that promises to evolve over the next few decades. Described as “rich, deep and yet not at all heavy” by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, the refined 95 pt. 2020 Caiarossa is “an ambitious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Alicante” according to the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, summed up as “well executed with lots of fragrance and a mineral, stone grip on the finish” by Decanter’s Georgina Hindle. A blend of mostly Syrah with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Grenache, the powerful and refined 96 pt. 2021 Caiarossa boasts “fine depth to the dark fruit flavors, plus a terrific aftertaste that really persists” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, already drinking beautifully and showing the potential to age beautifully over the next decades.
Described by the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner as a "gem of an estate," these flagship Caiarossa selections boast a winning combination of “drinkability and complexity” according to critic James Suckling’s who calls Caiarossa one of his “go to” Tuscan reds, standing shoulder to shoulder with the region's high profile Super Tuscans at an unbeatable price. |
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Purplish tinge in the glass. Aromas of cloves, generous bramble fruit and dried eucalyptus. The attack is firm and dense, with a full body and velvety tannins of great extraction on the mid-palate and refreshing natural acidity. Good integration of oak at the end. Potential for the long haul, but drinkable in one to two years.
96 points, James Suckling (May 2024)
Dense and concentrated, this red is packed with black currant, blackberry and plum fruit, while iron, wild herb and oak spice notes add detail. Assertive tannins and vibrant acidity provide support, bringing a sense of equilibrium overall. There's fine depth to the dark fruit flavors, plus a terrific aftertaste that really persists. Shows power and grace. Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Grenache. Best from 2027 through 2045. 2,400 cases made, 800 cases imported.
95 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Oct 2024)
This is a vintage that shows the successful evolution in this wine, with generous brambled raspberry, pomegranate, rosemary, underbrush, olive, anis, cocoa and grilled rosemary. There is intensity to the flavours, plenty of Tuscan sunshine, with excellent integration of the tannins, and a bounce of fresh acidities. Jerome Poisson as winemaker, AJ Domaines owner. Harvest September 2 to 21. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consultants. As an aside, I hesitated about the score. When tasted with the September Releases over the summer, I gave it 94 points, but in this vertical with other vintages of Caiarossa it came out at 95. It would be easy to drop the score down for consistency, but I am keeping it at 95, and will retaste after a few years in bottle to reassess. Held back for 12 months in bottle after ageing, 33% new oak.
95 points, Jane Anson (Sep 2024)
2021 was a demanding but ultimately rewarding vintage in much of Tuscany, with a warm March encouraging an early budbreak. The summer was hot and dry, with some welcome rain arriving in early September. Warm and sunny days returned for harvest. This is a wine with great potential but at this stage it is still quite closed. ‘We do very little racking to avoid oxygen during ageing,’ states general manager Jérôme Poisson. With time in the glass, fleshy black and blue fruit aromas and flavours emerge, along with hints of Mediterranean scrub. Velvety tannins keep a tight grip, while the fruit sapidity is underlined by a lovely vein of salinity and a ferrous twist. Long and poised, some savoury, earthy elements make themselves known on the finish. 30% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Sangiovese, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Grenache, each vinified separately before blending and ageing for around 14 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
95 points, James Button, Decanter (Jul 2024)