Testamatta 2020

Description

’Crazy Head’ in Italian, Testamatta is a 100% Sangiovese originating from five separate parcels. A mixture of old and newer vines which gives “its beautiful clarity, sharpness and lifted bouquet … a wine to watch” (WA), it is the “joyful frame flowing with juicy black cherry, raspberry, mandarin peel, fresh acidities and bounce” that awards it 97 points from Jane Anson.

Prior to entering the world of wine, interestingly Graetz was a successful artist before turning his hand to winemaking. Starting in the late 1990s, in his native home-town, Graetz was able to perfect his illustrious cuvèes at the family-owned estate; Castello di Vincigliata in Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards in the village of Fiesole overlooking Florence. Over the years, Graetz has amassed one of the largest collections of ancient organically farmed vineyards in Tuscany, focusing on the native Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo grapes from which both the Colore and the Testamatta are made. The old vines, high altitude and poor stony soils characterise their philosophy, to portray the terroir of each individual vineyard. Now famously known for his unorthodox vinification and ageing techniques, Graetz is exempt from the D.O.C and D.O.C.G classifications, although, this tactical move has allowed him to rise to the status of cult winemaker in Italy today.