Wine Advisor
Fattoria Le Pupille, Saffredi 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The 2010 Saffredi (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) delivers gorgeous intensity and broad aromas of black berry, leather, crushed granite and lingering smoke. It’s a masterpiece on all happy fronts. The textural elegance is superb. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025. There is always a single face that identifies a region: A sole producer with the charisma and communicative talents required to perform the ambassadorial duties that bring a relatively obscure wine area to the world stage. For the Maremma, that person is Elisabetta Geppetti. Her newest releases confirm the extreme quality that distinguishes Fattoria Le Pupille. Importer: Winebow Inc.; www.winebow.com
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
This vintage was cooler than average and fruit stayed on the vines longer, gaining in complexity and depth along the way. The 2010 Saffredi is a wine of deep inner tension, energy and power. The 2010 vintage has it all, especially for those looking for a classic profile from sunny southern Tuscany. I am impressed by how sharp and focused it remains so many years after the harvest. There are hints of granite and smoke along with plenty of dried blackcurrant. I'm extending the drinking window for this pretty vintage.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Le Pupille's 2010 Saffredi comes across as light weight and fleeting in this vintage, with little of the depth, power or richness that has been the norm here, especially over the recent past.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
The aromas of blueberries and lavender come out nicely in the glass. Full body, with fine tannins and a bright acidity. The texture is wonderful here. Needs two or three years to come together. Saffredi is a benchmark in Tuscany's Maremma region. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot.
About the Producer
Fattoria Le Pupille is a leading wine estate in the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. It is best known for Saffredi, a Toscana IGT blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot that has been described as the Lafite of Tuscany. Owner Elisabetta Geppetti is known as the Lady of Morellino and the Ambassador of Maremma. In 1992 she became head of the Consorzio for Morellino di Scansano - the region's association of grape growers and wine producers. She was the first woman to gain that position in any Italian wine region. The estate has 75 hectares (185 acres) of vineyards in total, the core of which are located around the village of Peretta. These vineyard holdings include the 25ha (62 acres) of the original Pupille vineyard and the 5-ha (12-acre) plot responsible for Saffredi. There is also a 20-ha (50-acre) plot near Magliano, and the winery itself is located near Grosseto. This is a modern facility located within the traditionally-styled building that features on the label. As well as Saffredi, Le Pupille makes three Sangiovese-based Morellino di Scansano cuvées. These are a "normale", a Riserva, and the Poggio Valente Riserva, which is aged for 15 months in a mix of small and large barrels. There is also a IGT Maremma Toscana Rosso, named Pelofino, which is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah with a small amount of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. 2015 saw the first release of Le Pupille, a 100 percent Syrah aged for 12 months in 300-liter French oak barrels. This is priced above the flagship Saffredi. The estate also makes a Rosamatti rosato and a Poggio Argentato white based on Sauvignon Blanc with Petit Manseng, Traminer and Semillon. Piemme is a recently introduced single variety deluxe white wine from Petit Manseng . The lineup is completed by SolAlto, a botrytized white wine made from Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. In total around 500,000 bottles are produced each year.
