2015 Saffredi
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Tasting notes
This Bordeaux blend from sunny Tuscany has taken on more weight and volume since the last time I tasted this vintage six years ago. Having fleshed out considerably over these past years, the Fattoria le Pupille 2015 Saffredi reveals thick textural fiber. I remember using the word "exuberant" to describe many of the Tuscan wines from the 2015 vintage, and that term remains relevant to this bottle. With that warm-vintage fruit concentration and softness comes subtle tannic bitterness on the finish with abundant blackberry and blackcurrant. The wine feels ready to drink now, but given that structure, you could also opt to hold it longer.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot. Thanks to copious winter rains, water reserves were preserved throughout spring. Spring was characterised by heavy rains followed by sun and strong wind. This, together with mild temperatures, led to early budding and consequent flowering. Summer was warm and dry but with some rainfall from the end of August until the beginning of September. Overall a hot but dry year. Harvest between 5 September and 7 October. 40,000 bottles produced. Mellow ‘settled’ nose. Juicy fruit and rather callow but admirably well balanced. No rough edges and no excess alcohol. Very good tannin management; readier than many older vintages. Full of life but not aggressively youthful. Long. Chapeau! (JR)
The 2015 Saffredi is a powerful, racy wine. Even so, I don't find the nuance, clarity or freshness that made the 2015 so complete last year. Part or all of that may be attributable to multiple bottlings. My feeling on the subject is very simple. Multiple bottlings inevitably lead to bottle variation, and that is just unacceptable at this level.
The 2015 Saffredi is a total head-turner. Bold and explosive, the 2015 captures all the magic that Le Pupille is capable of. Crème de cassis, lavender, mint, licorice and truffle are some of the notes that give the 2015 is decidedly exotic, racy personality. Even with all of its abundant richness, the 2015 possesses terrific supporting structure and phenomenal balance. In a word: magnificent! I can't wait to see how the 2015 ages.