Wine Advisor
Tua Rita, Redigaffi Toscana 2012
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Description
Redigaffi has an intense color that arouses enthusiasm and satisfy the sight, it highlights great complexity characterized by the fruity attack in the mouth leaving then “room” to tobacco and liquorice notes. Good concentration given by the pre-harvesting activity, three passages and perfect maturation reached by our grapes. Outstanding complexity. Floral notes typical of our “Macchia Mediterranea” are intense and persistent. The elegance of tannins is enhanced by the great structure and balance. Considerable extraction and good acidity.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The epic 2012 Redigaffi (100% Merlot) shows amazing depth and a great sense of inner energy and seductive charm. The wine is soft and yielding with ripe layers of cherry, blackberry and cassis that slowly morph into savory spice, leather and tobacco. This Merlot boldly promotes its all-Italian characteristics of Mediterranean shrub and wild sage that ground the wine in a sense of place. The warm vintage has shaped soft tannins and thick, penetrating extraction that moves slowly over the palate. Give this beautiful wine a few more years to find its footing and lose its baby fat.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
This vintage was entirely made by Luca D'Attoma. The Tua Rita 2012 Redigaffi is another milestone vintage that opens a new chapter in the timeline of this iconic winery in Suvereto on the Tuscan Coast. Luca's footprint is evident as those more obvious oak tones suddenly disappear, giving space to black fruit, dried plum and syrupy blackcurrant. The wine shows an inky dark color nonetheless, and although its texture is generous and elegant, Redigaffi is suddenly void of those more obvious toasted oak influences. As a result, you gain a bigger window on some of the territorial aromas of Mediterranean herb and dried berry that we will find again in the vintages to follow.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Redigaffi jumps from the glass with explosive dark blue/blackish fruit. Rich, voluptuous and impeccably textured in the glass, the 2012 boasts massive depth and concentration, yet retains tons of freshness. Silky tannins round out a finish laced with melted road tar, herbs and leather. For such a big wine, the Redigaffi is remarkably complex and nuanced. The 2012 was aged in 100% new, thick-staved Darnajou barrels, which are seldom seen in Italy but widely used throughout Napa Valley and elsewhere. In some recent vintages I have slightly preferred the Syrah over the Redigaffi, but in 2012 the wines are both fabulous. Simply put, the 2012 Redigaffi is a stunner.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Another dazzling 2012 from Tua Rita, the Redigaffi is a pure pleasure to taste. Bright, floral and delineated, the 2012 is exceptionally beautiful. The aromas and flavors are so pure and resonant. This is another wine with a bright future and tons of potential.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Bright ruby-red. Coffee and cocoa nuances almost overpower the wine’s delicate violet and dark berry aromas. Then rather graceful in the mouth, with a distinct delicacy to the dark berry, cocoa and coffee flavors. A lighter Redigaffi than usual, but harmonious and refined.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Compelling aromas of chili pepper, nuts, beeswax and dark fruits with dried strawberries. Hints of black olives and meat. Full body with extremely thick, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This is layered and so structured, with fabulous length and density. Savory. Chocolate powder at the end. This needs at least three or four years of bottle age. A triumph for the vintage. Pure merlot.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This has a seductively spicy nose of anise, pink peppercorns, wild berries, mulberries, mocha and violets. Full-bodied, rich and mouth-filling, yet with wonderful freshness. Chewy tannins. Vibrant finish. 100% merlot. Drink or hold.
About the Producer
In 1984 Rita and Virgilio realized their lifelong dream purchasing the property that became Tua Rita. The landscape and buildings on this property were a mere setting for living in contact with nature whilst farming their beloved land. Their overwhelming passion for wine actually changed their plans. The original two hectares of vineyards have been cultivated meticulously since the beginning, this rigorous and passionate care collocated Tua Rita among the most successful producers labeled as “vins de garage”. In less than a decade they had extended the property up to nine hectares, then twenty; nowadays the totality of the planted vines includes thirty hectares. Growth has been driven by Rita and Virgilio’s enduring enthusiasm and an ever-deepening awareness of the potential of this estate in the area, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Colline Metallifere, known as Val di Cornia. On one hand the estate and the cellar had being steadily growing driven by Rita and Virgilio’s extreme commitment. On the other hand thanks to Stefano Frascolla, married to the owners’ daughter Simena, the winery’s brand awareness was expanding rapidly. Simena also got involved in the family-run business after Virgilio’s death in 2010. The estate’s name derives from the inversion of Rita Tua’s first and last name.
