2014 Tenuta San Giusto a Rentennano Merlot Toscana La Ricolma

(96 Points)

233, The Wine Advocate

The 2014 La Ricolma (100% Merlot) is something of a minor miracle and a masterpiece in its own right. The wine is sumptuously textured and beautifully rich. It soothes the palate with its dark fruit intensity and sensual flavors of spice and toast that increase in intensity with each delicious sip. The bouquet peels off in thick layers, revealing Morello cherry, leather, black olive and moist chewing tobacco. Only 5,150 bottles were produced, and no matter what you've heard about the 2014 vintage, this wine is definitely worth your consideration.

Winery Notes

La Ricolma is made from 100% Merlot grapes especially seclected from prime vineyards and hand-picked when perfectly mature. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks for about 18 days, then racked and pressed. After it is racked once again, the wine is left to mature for 20-22 months in French oak barriques. It is bottled and held for another 6 months before being released.

2014 Vintage Notes

A year marked by a very wet summer. Ripening, in spite of the adverse conditions, went on evenly, thought at a slower rate than usual. The following proved fundamental in achieving the final result: - Relentless care in carrying out appropriate farming practices; - Favourable weather conditions at harvest time ( acceptable temperatures and limited air humidity levels). Their combined effect made it possible to postpone harvesting to the first days of October. This is a Ricolma of great texture, just slightly less concentrated and in need of ageing for its full appreciation than the former 2013.