Wine Advisor
Fattoria Le Pupille, Saffredi 2013
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
There's a lot to say, and admire, about the 2013 Saffredi. First off all, this is the first growing cycle made under the careful watch of enologist Luca D'Attoma. This makes all the difference. One of his changes is an increased focus on Petit Verdot, which makes up to 15% of the blend in this case. The other grapes used are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But the increased role of Petit Verdot has awarded this vintage with stunning precision, linearity and balance. It's like a light switch has suddenly been turned on. Petit Verdot on the Tuscan Coast tends to show softer and fuller lines. In this wine, you taste the tonic crunchiness of the grape skins instead. The dark concentration of the wine is pleasurable and rich, and there's a final acidic signature that closes the deal in style. Congratulations.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Saffredi is every bit as special from bottle as it was when I first tasted it in barrel. Wonderfully fresh, vibrant and nuanced, the 2013 possesses striking depth to match its explosive personality. A rush of blue and purplish-hued fruits, licorice, spice and new leather built into the powerful, deeply layered finish. The 2013 is a superb edition of the flagship Saffredi. It's as simple as that.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Saffredi wraps around the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Graphite, smoke, wild flowers, black cherries and plums meld together in a powerful, resonant wine built on intensity. The 2013 has a real sense of gravitas, with dark shades of fruit, expressive balsamic-inflected overtones and plenty of nuance.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Highly expressive aromatic, intensity and structure are the signatures of the 2013 Saffredi. Violets, lavender, dark plums, spices and new leather take shape in a vibrant, powerful wine with a bright future.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The 2013 and 2016 vintages represent the best work by consulting enologist Luca D'Attoma during his time at Fattoria le Pupille. He joined the estate in 2012 and left as the 2018s were bottled. The 2013 Saffredi is very fine and elegant, and it offers a bright point of freshness that helps it stand apart from the 2012 and 2011 vintages, which show less overall clarity. This wine vaunts extreme focus instead, and although it does show ample oak and spice definition, the fruit is beautifully presented.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Saffredi wraps around the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Graphite, smoke, wild flowers, black cherries and plums meld together in a powerful, resonant wine built on intensity. The 2013 has a real sense of gravitas, with dark shades of fruit, expressive balsamic-inflected overtones and plenty of nuance.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is very compressed and beautiful with currant, licorice and floral character. Full body, round and silky tannins. A slightly more refined and prettier style than the incredible 2012. Gorgeous young wine. Great potential. Bordeaux blend. Try in 2019.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is another great Saffredi following the perfect 100-point 2012. I tasted it a year ago and thought it was sensational. Even better now. It's so dense and structured yet shows a lively, jazz-like vibe that gives it form and beauty. Needs at least four to five years to soften. Powerful and muscular. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and 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.
