Wine Advisor
Bibi Graetz, Testamatta 2015
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Description
"Testamatta” – “crazy-head” in Italian - is the best word to describe Bibi Graetz: a positive, creative and passionate person. Testamatta wine expresses the purity, minerality and transparency of Sangiovese from old vines on the top of the hills characterized by soils rich of stones. A Supertuscan made with 100% Sangiovese, result of the combination of tradition and creativity.
“This wine is without any doubts one of the “Great” Testamatta I made. I have a very strong image of the harvest 2015: every single grape was perfectly shaped, weighing no more then 500 grams. This vintage is able to deliver an incredible balance, even though the concentration, creating an unique blend of elegance, structure and finesse.”----Bibi Graetz 2015 has proven to be a great vintage all over Italy, with peaks of quality in key wine regions like Tuscany: winter was mild with few weeks of cold, only the north-facing hills at high elevation got few days of frost. Spring flourished early allowing a correct vegetative development till the blooming in May. Summer will be remembered for being extremely warm with only few days of rain in mid-august and early September. The weather remained stable and sunny the whole harvest period, started the 28th of September and finished the 2nd of November.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The Bibi Graetz 2015 Testamatta represents a new approach. This is when Bibi decided that he wanted to lighten up extraction and richness in his wines. He focused his attention on farming in order to produce more transparency and brightness in his wine by reducing stresses on the plants. The 2015 growing season was a hot year that produced picture-perfect clusters. Tasted today, this wine shows some tertiary character and hints of mild oxidation.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
There's a delicacy and richness all at the same time here with currant, cherry and floral character. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh and fruity finish.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A stunning wine. This is the best Testamatta ever made. Fascinating aromas of red fruits, tea, bark and wet soil as well as fresh leather. Full body, silky tannins and a juicy finish. I love the tension and texture of this great red. So gorgeous to taste now but better in 2021.
About the Producer
Bibi Graetz is one of the best wine producers in Tuscany, which has become famous for its Soffocone di Vincigliata, Colore, Testamatta Rosso and Bianco wines. Its grapes come from vines of about 80 years of age, the autochthonous: Sangiovese, Colorino and Cannaiolo. The Bibi Graetz estate is located in Vincigliata, a small village behind the Fiesole hill.
