Located in Riparbella, just inland on the northern part of the Tuscan coast, releases from Caiarossa have become one of James Suckling's go-to Tuscan reds "because of their drinkability and complexity", noting he also loves "that they are made from biodynamic grapes as well".
Scoring 96 points from James Suckling, 95 points from the Wine Advocate's Monica Larner and double 93 points from Jane Anson and Decanter, this Caiarossa 2018 is a very "enjoyable vintage" (JA). Offering a "seriously Mediterranean bouquet", the palate is "complex and juicy" with wonderful "slate minerality" (JA) undercurrent.
This is extremely perfumed with violets, sage, lavender, currants and berries. Fresh and vivid. Medium-to full-bodied with super refined tannins and fruit. So subtle and refined. This is really long and gorgeous. Goes on for minutes. A change in style from past vintages and I like it. 30% syrah, 30% cabernet franc, 16% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot 7% petit verdot and 5% sangiovese. From organically grown grapes. So hard not to drink now, but better after 2023.
Review Date: 6th July 2021
Tasted as an unfinished sample, the Caiarossa 2018 Caiarossa offers great insight into the forward-looking trajectory and the solid quality record of this gem of an estate on the Tuscan Coast. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Alicante, with the saturated and dark fruit aromas of the Cabernet grapes in pole position. A deep core of black fruit is backed by exotic spice, tar and sweet licorice at the back. The finest work here is to the tannins, which (like in the preview 2019 sample I also tasted) remain very smooth and taut, giving the wine an elegant but determined backbone.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2042
Reviewer Name: Monica Larner
Review Date: 15th January 2021
A slightly different SuperTuscan here, being a blend of seven different Bordeaux and Italian varietals including 30% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese and 2% Alicante. Under the same ownership as Château Giscours in Bordeaux, this wine is nuanced and fresh with density and power but also elegance. Floral touches combine with Mediterranean herbs, rosemary and liquorice, and textured red fruits that, with dense tannins, give a sense of real structure on the palate and a long length. A ‘grand vin’ around the 30 euro mark that is enjoyable now but will also age.
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2031
Reviewer Name: Georgina Hindle
Review Date: 20th July 2021
The personality of this estate has become better established over the past few years, and this is an enjoyable vintage. Complex and juicy, slate minerality, it has a seriously Mediterranean bouquet - meaning underbrush, dried herbs, raspberry puree, saffron, sage, aniseed. Rewards taking your time in the glass, because the flavour strands need a moment to unwind. Certified organic, and the long-term agroforestry project, with trees planted among the vineyards is the traditional way of planting here rather than a new initiative. Tuscan estate located in the Maremma and owned by the Albada family of Château Giscours, Jerome Poisson winemaker. A number of different soils and exposures that adds complexity, as do the seven grape varieties, a mix of Bordeaux and Italy. 30% new oak, then back in concrete tanks for 4 months before release.
Review Date: 6th September 2021
- Details
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- Year 2018
- Colour Red
- Country Italy
- Region Tuscany
- Sub Region Toscana
- Designation
- Classification
- Pack Size 6x75cl
- ABV 15.5°
- Drinking Window 2024 - 2042
- Drinking Recommendation Not Ready
- LWIN 110198420180600750
- Reviews (4)
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96 James Suckling
This is extremely perfumed with violets, sage, lavender, currants and berries. Fresh and vivid. Medium-to full-bodied with super refined tannins and fruit. So subtle and refined. This is really long and gorgeous. Goes on for minutes. A change in style from past vintages and I like it. 30% syrah, 30% cabernet franc, 16% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot 7% petit verdot and 5% sangiovese. From organically grown grapes. So hard not to drink now, but better after 2023.
Review Date: 6th July 2021
95 Wine AdvocateTasted as an unfinished sample, the Caiarossa 2018 Caiarossa offers great insight into the forward-looking trajectory and the solid quality record of this gem of an estate on the Tuscan Coast. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Alicante, with the saturated and dark fruit aromas of the Cabernet grapes in pole position. A deep core of black fruit is backed by exotic spice, tar and sweet licorice at the back. The finest work here is to the tannins, which (like in the preview 2019 sample I also tasted) remain very smooth and taut, giving the wine an elegant but determined backbone.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2042
Reviewer Name: Monica Larner
Review Date: 15th January 2021
93 DecanterA slightly different SuperTuscan here, being a blend of seven different Bordeaux and Italian varietals including 30% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese and 2% Alicante. Under the same ownership as Château Giscours in Bordeaux, this wine is nuanced and fresh with density and power but also elegance. Floral touches combine with Mediterranean herbs, rosemary and liquorice, and textured red fruits that, with dense tannins, give a sense of real structure on the palate and a long length. A ‘grand vin’ around the 30 euro mark that is enjoyable now but will also age.
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2031
Reviewer Name: Georgina Hindle
Review Date: 20th July 2021
93 Jane AnsonThe personality of this estate has become better established over the past few years, and this is an enjoyable vintage. Complex and juicy, slate minerality, it has a seriously Mediterranean bouquet - meaning underbrush, dried herbs, raspberry puree, saffron, sage, aniseed. Rewards taking your time in the glass, because the flavour strands need a moment to unwind. Certified organic, and the long-term agroforestry project, with trees planted among the vineyards is the traditional way of planting here rather than a new initiative. Tuscan estate located in the Maremma and owned by the Albada family of Château Giscours, Jerome Poisson winemaker. A number of different soils and exposures that adds complexity, as do the seven grape varieties, a mix of Bordeaux and Italy. 30% new oak, then back in concrete tanks for 4 months before release.
Review Date: 6th September 2021
- Producer
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About Caiarossa
Unlike the usual Super Tuscans, the Caiarossa consists of a blend of 7 French and Italian varietals. Since 2004, it shares the same owner as Château Giscours and Château du Tertre and the marked uptick in quality has been evident. Today we are pleased to offer the latest release from this exciting estate.
Located at Riparbella, a village in the province of Pisa that is part of the Montescudaio DOC appellation, Caiarossa was founded relatively recently in 1998 by Flemish businessman Jan Theys, who reportedly invested between 4 to 5 million euros in the property that had been farmed biodynamically from the start. After running out of capital, he went looking for a partner who shared the same interest in natural vineyard management and found Eric Albada Jelgersma, owner of Château Giscours and Château du Tertre.
According to Alexander Van Beek, the general manager of Giscours and Château du Tertre, Eric “likes to buy properties that have much growth potential, whether they have been mismanaged or are in bad shape”, and Caiarossa definitely showed tremendous potential, as Alexander relates:
“I was totally flabbergasted by the quality of the wines given that they are made from such young vines. The potential here is remarkable.” - Alexander Van Beek
With the new ownership on board in 2004, wine scores gradually improved, their wines offer “great insight into the forward-looking trajectory and the solid quality record of this gem of an estate on the Tuscan Coast” (Monica Larner).
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Caiarossa - Offers on Cru
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