2008 La Ricolma
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Tasting notes
The 2008 La Ricolma is very, very closed. In fact, it comes across as perhaps still needing time in bottle! Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice, pine and menthol, are all beautifully delineated. Readers will have to be patient, though as the 2008 is not ready to show everything it is presently holding in reserve. In the glass, the 2008 boasts magnificent aromatic presence and tons of power. I imagine the tannins will always remain a bit nervous and edgy. There is no shortage of personality. The 2008 is a Ricolma of real character. It is one of the real surprises in this complete vertical.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 La Ricolma (Merlot) is brilliant. Layers of well-articulated fruit, violets and minerals come together beautifully in the glass in this brilliant Ricolma. The wine possesses dazzling inner perfume and tons of freshness all the way through to the pure, chiseled finish. I especially like the balance of opulence and vibrancy here. This is a hugely impressive effort from San Giusto a Rentennano, not to mention easily one of the finest wines made in central Tuscany in 2008.
The 2008 La Ricolma (Merlot) is brilliant. Layers of well-articulated fruit, violets and minerals come together beautifully in the glass in this brilliant Ricolma. The wine possesses dazzling inner perfume and tons of freshness all the way through to the pure, chiseled finish. I especially like the balance of opulence and vibrancy here. This is a hugely impressive effort from San Giusto a Rentennano, not to mention easily one of the finest wines made in central Tuscany in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. San Giusto is a reference-point estate that encapsulates so many of the artisan values that make the best wines of Tuscany so appealing. The Baroncole remains San Giusto’s least consistent wine, but all of the other reds are flying very high these days. The sweet San Giusto is an extreme wine, so it is only natural that some years are better than others. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119
The 2008 La Ricolma (Merlot) is brilliant. Layers of well-articulated fruit, violets and minerals come together beautifully in the glass in this brilliant Ricolma. The wine possesses dazzling inner perfume and tons of freshness all the way through to the pure, chiseled finish. I especially like the balance of opulence and vibrancy here. This is a hugely impressive effort from San Giusto a Rentennano, not to mention easily one of the finest wines made in central Tuscany in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. ||San Giusto is a reference-point estate that encapsulates so many of the artisan values that make the best wines of Tuscany so appealing. The Baroncole remains San Giusto’s least consistent wine, but all of the other reds are flying very high these days. The sweet San Giusto is an extreme wine, so it is only natural that some years are better than others.||A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119 Wine Advocate.August, 2011
About the producer
San Giusto a Rentennano is one of the leading producers in the Chianti Classico region. Its 100% Merlot Super Tuscan La Ricolma and 100% Sangiovese cuvée, Percarlo, are two of the most consistent and collected fine wines in Tuscany.