Five Super Tuscan Wines to Buy Now and Why They Matter

Super Tuscan wines have earned a place among Italy’s most collectible bottles, combining Tuscan character with a willingness to challenge tradition. From Sangiovese-led blends to powerful expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the category offers remarkable variety, aging potential, and pedigree.

What Is a Super Tuscan Wine?

“Super Tuscan” is an informal term rather than an official wine classification. It emerged to describe ambitious Tuscan wines made outside the region’s traditional appellation rules, often using international grape varieties or unconventional blends.

Many were initially labeled simply as table wine despite their exceptional quality. Today, Super Tuscans may carry the Toscana IGT designation or a regional appellation such as Bolgheri DOC. Sassicaia even has its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC.

The Wines That Shaped the Category

Sassicaia helped establish the Super Tuscan movement. Made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, it was first released commercially with the 1968 vintage.

Tignanello followed a different path. Its Sangiovese-led blend incorporates Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, combining distinctly Tuscan character with a more modern approach to blending and oak aging.

Collectors should also know Ornellaia, Masseto, Solaia, and Guado al Tasso. Together, these wines demonstrate that Super Tuscan is not a single style. Some emphasize Sangiovese and savory elegance, while others lean toward the structure, richness, and dark fruit associated with Bordeaux varieties.

What Should Collectors Look For?

When buying Super Tuscan wines, consider the producer, vintage, provenance, and preferred style.

Sangiovese-led wines can offer bright acidity, red fruit, herbs, and an unmistakably Tuscan profile. Cabernet- and Merlot-based wines are often deeper and more structured, with dark fruit, spice, and considerable aging potential.

Established producers and acclaimed vintages may offer the greatest long-term collectibility, but storage history and bottle condition remain essential. Original wooden cases and large formats can add further appeal, particularly for collectors planning to cellar wines over many years.

Five Super Tuscans to Buy Now

Looking to begin or expand a Super Tuscan collection? These five wines offer a compelling mix of celebrated estates, mature vintages, and distinctive expressions of Tuscany.

Tignanello 2022

A natural starting point for collectors, Tignanello remains one of the defining wines of the Super Tuscan movement. The 2022 offers a youthful, Sangiovese-led expression with the balance and structure to evolve beautifully.

97 Points, Wine Advocate: “Rich and fruit-forward,” with “soft tannins, texture and length.”

Collectors can also explore the newly arrived Tignanello 2023, a polished and immediately appealing companion vintage.

95 Points, Vinous: “A classy, polished wine” offering “tons of immediacy and sheer appeal.”

Ornellaia 2021

Produced on the Tuscan coast in Bolgheri, Ornellaia 2021 brings together richness, structure, and remarkable aging potential. It is an excellent choice for collectors drawn to the Bordeaux-inspired side of the category.

99 Points, Vinous: “The 2021 Ornellaia captures all the magic of this sensational vintage.”

Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi 2012

Saffredi offers a distinctive expression of the Maremma and an opportunity to acquire a wine with more than a decade of development. The 2012 is especially notable as one of the estate’s most celebrated releases.

100 Points, James Suckling: “A phenomenal Saffredi with so much structure and length.”

Sassicaia 2001

One of Italy’s most iconic wines, Sassicaia 2001 combines historic importance with the complexity that comes from bottle age. It is a compelling centerpiece for an established Italian collection.

94 Points, Wine Spectator: “Full-bodied, with sleek, refined tannins and a silky finish.”

Wildcard: Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d’Alceo 1999

For something less expected, Vigna d’Alceo 1999 brings together a respected Chianti Classico estate, a Cabernet-led blend, and more than 25 years of maturity. It is a fascinating choice for collectors interested in exploring Super Tuscans beyond Bolgheri’s best-known labels.

99 Points, Wine Advocate: “Fabulously concentrated yet remarkably light on its feet.”

Are Super Tuscans Worth Collecting?

For collectors drawn to Italian wine, Super Tuscans offer a compelling combination of history, individuality, and longevity. The finest examples can evolve beautifully for decades while offering a broad range of styles to explore.

Whether you begin with an iconic bottle, select a mature vintage, or build a vertical from a favorite estate, Super Tuscan wines provide one of Italy’s most rewarding paths for collecting.

Cheers,
The BWG team