| Producer | Bibi Graetz |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Varietal | Proprietary Red |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 210000000737 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Bibi Graetz - Toscana Testamatta 2019
Since 2001 Bibi Graetz Testamatta has never been scored below 90 Pts from ANY of the major publications. The 2018 Vintage was awarded 100 Pts Decanter. The pedigree is un-deniable and the wine still is reasonably priced given the accolades.
Bibi Graetz founded his winery in 2000 on the grounds of his family’s home, Castello di Vincigliata. Located in the hills of Fiesole just north of Florence, the Castello is surrounded by 7.4 acres of vines that were planted by Bibi’s parents in 1971. A graduate of the Academia dell'Arte in Florence, this artist-turned-winemaker began producing classic Tuscan varietals in the 1990s when the family’s vineyard contracts began to expire. In collaboration with consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini, Bibi produced his first vintage in 2000 and the wines quickly gained critical acclaim. In 2006, Wine Spectator named Testamatta as its top Tuscan wine, describing it as, "One of Tuscany's true cult wines.” Bibi is equally well known for his affinity for old vines and indigenous grape varietals (E.g. Sangiovese, Ansonica, Colorino and Colore) as he is for his colorful and often provocative wine names and labels. Sourcing fruit grown from old vines in Fiesole and the island of Giglio, off the Tuscan coast, Bibi’s winemaking philosophy is based on sincerity of expression. The wines are handcrafted, honest statements of terroir, tradition and varietal. Beginning in 2004, Bibi took over full winemaking responsibilities. He keeps grapes yields to a minimum, ferments his Sangiovese in small open-top wood vats, does pigeage by hand and matures his finished wine in French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: To celebrate the 20 years of Testamatta and Colore, Bibi Graetz wanted to create a special bottle for this anniversary. Testamatta 2019 encloses all the depth and the elegance of Sangiovese, it’s very settled but with incredible layers.
96 Pts Decanter - The 20th anniversary bottling of Testamatta made, from the 2019 vintage, in brand new winemaking facilities in Florence. This just shines from the moment it’s poured. Layered and complex this is a gem of a wine filled with cherry, raspberry, damson and caramel notes alongside a savoury edge that makes it so moreish. Tannins that support but don't overwhelm give a nice overall weight to the palate while the flavous linger on the long finish. Made from old vines on stony soils on the Tuscan hilltops. Grapes are selected and sourced from the best five vineyards, which are divided into parcels and harvested up to eight times. Fermentation is in open-top barriques for the smaller parcels and in barrels or stainless steel for the larger ones without any temperature controls. Maceration for 7-10 days then moved into old barriques for 20 months.
Very attractive combination of dried fruit and spices with black cherries and plums. Aromas of flowers and sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very refined, yet intense, with plush, velvety tannins that are wonderfully integrated and intertwined with the fruit. Ripe center palate. Tight at the end, suggesting the need for some serious bottle age. Very structured. Try after 2025.
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