drink now
Another vintage spoiled by rain, producing light, dilute wines
Weather Conditions
Although the spring was cool in Tuscany , average summer temperatures and a sunny September laid the basis for a certain degree of optimism in the weeks leading up to the harvest. Hopes were dashed however by torrential October rain. Problems of under ripeness and then rampant botrytis affected the whole of the region. Only parts of the coast escaped with relatively limited damage. A small vintage which producers would prefer to forget.
Best Appellations
Wet, wet, wet. A problematical vintage. Very few wines will be of any interest today. Only early varieties (ie Merlot), Sangiovese from the very warmest sites or Cabernet from the Maremma survived the weather. Even in these cases the wines were for early drinking.
Best Producers
By dint of fanatical selection Monte Vertine managed to make a Pergole Torte which was arguably the best Sangiovese of the vintage. Castello di Ama’s Merlot Vigna L’Apparita was a great success and is still drinking well. Sassicaia gave another demonstration of its ability to pull the rabbit out of the hat in vintages when the rest of the region struggles to make the grade.
