2018 Testamatta
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Tasting notes
I loved this when first tasting it in bottle, and it is totally living up to my expectations. The clarity of flavour and the sense of energy ensures it just springs out of the glass, ready to please and without the slightest hint of a dip through the mid palate. Sangiovese signature comes across in raspberry, red cherry, rose petals, tobacco, freshly cured leather, great persistency through the palate, showing balance and finesse. The tannins are fine and silky but not afraid to ask for engagement and time from those of us lucky enough to be tasting it. Fermented with natural yeasts, aged in oak casks and neutral barrels for 20 months.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The Bibi Graetz 2018 Testamatta is a wine that was affected by outside factors. For one, it was in barrel during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and Bibi says he spent six months fussing over this production. Secondly, this vintage directly followed 2017, which saw heat stress in the vineyards, with some of that hardship spilling over to this wine. It shows good fruit with chalky tannins, but you don't get the same depth or detail as in other vintages.
Shows superb length and intensity with blueberry and blackberry character. Mineral and salty undertone. Full and racy. Beautiful length.
About the producer
Based just outside Florence, Bibi Graetz is something of a maverick in the Tuscan wine scene. Working with old vineyards of indigenous grapes around Chianti, he produces intense wines classified as IGT Toscana; not fitting neatly in either the Super Tuscan or Chianti camp.