Saffredi in great form in London (1)

In order to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her showcase red wine (1987-2017), Elisabetta Geppetti organized a lovely vertical tasting in London.

The Ten Thirty Private Club, London. While name itself is impressive, inside it’s a whole different world. And it is here that the volcanic Elisabetta Geppetti wanted to stage an almost complete vertical tasting of her favorite creation, Saffredi, a Maremma Cabernet Sauvignon that is considered one of the world’s greatest wines.

The event marked the 30th anniversary of the wine’s debut and included 19 vintages, the tasting notes of which you will find below (the 1990s) and in the articles to be published tomorrow and the next day, together with a little information regarding the weather conditions those years. With me to comment and evaluate the wines were Sarah Kemp, the former managing director at Decanter, and our London correspondent Luigi Buonanno.

The blend for Saffredi has changed slightly over the years with a reduction of the Cabernet Sauvignon in favor of the Merlot and the substitution of the addition of Alicante first with Syrah (from 2004) and later with Petit Verdot (from 2012). Maceration lasts some 25 days in stainless steel under controlled temperatures and then the wine matures for 18 months in barriques and other barrels, 80% new wood.

Saffredi Rosso di Toscana 1992

95/100 – Almost unobtainable

A normal yet slightly wet spring, a very hot and dry summer and a slightly late harvest due to autumn rains. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Alicante that has a clear, garnet color. The nose is evolved yet intact with notes of cacao and a little leather and kirsch. The mouthfeel has an excellent acidity and a discreet and agile body, all aged nicely. Very lively and surprising, it closes warm with an excellent persistence.

Bottles produced: 8,000.

Saffredi Rosso di Toscana 1993

88/100 – Almost unobtainable

A normal growing season. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 5% Alicante and the wine has an intense and nicely concentrated garnet color. The spice aroma has smoky notes and those of slightly burned cherry jam and a spent fireplace. The bold mouthfeel is saline and warm with a nice acidity and tannins that are still evident as are some of their rough edges. Evolved.

Bottle produced: 9,500.

Saffredi Toscana Rosso Igt 1995

96/100 - € 100

The weather was not particularly hot and this was the last vintage to be supervised by Giacomo Tachis. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 12% Alicante that has a very luminous and bright garnet color. The classic and wrapping aroma has intact notes of kirsch followed by those of black cherry, a little cacao and sweet spice. The mouthfeel has excellent structure, lively tannins and a full body with alcoholic warmth and weighty extracts nicely upheld by the acidity. Even youthful.

Bottle produced: 15,000.

Saffredi Toscana Rosso Igt 1998

89/100 - € 100

Normal weather with a rather cool spring followed by a sunny and dry summer. This year marked the beginning of the consultancy of Riccardo Cotarella and an increase of Merlot in the blend, which was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Alicante. The wine has an intense, bright and concentrated garnet color while the aroma has a lot of spice with notes of blood orange, raspberry, black cherry and vanilla. The mouthfeel has excellent body nicely upheld by the acidity, while the tannins have too many extracts and the finish is a tad bitter.

Bottles produced: 20,000.

Saffredi Maremma Toscana Igt 1999

91/100 - € 100

A cold winter, mild spring and a hot and dry summer followed by a wet September that caused the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen late. The blend is again 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Alicante and the intense, garnet color has a nice concentration. The aroma is of spice and is slightly evolved (with some hints of glutamate), ethereal and wrapping. The warm and bold mouthfeel has a little too many extracts with evident tannins that are not totally integrated.

Bottles produced: 18,000.

Till tomorrow!

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