Vintages Tuscany

Question 1

What are the best recent vintages for Tuscany?

Answer 1

2016 - detailed, complex

2013 - classy, elegant

2010 - long season, finesse

2007 - ripe, voluptuous

2006 - big, powerful, structured

2004 - very expressive and good

2001 - structured wines

1999 - powerful and racy - needed time

1997 - frost and hail, concentrated and opulent - flamboyant

1990 - flashy, racy, hot year low yields

1988 - vibrant, gorgeous

1985 - GOOD, intensity and volume

Question 2

What are the worst recent vintages for Tuscany?

Answer 2

2014 - cold, rain, and hail

2005 - cool year, with rain - slender wines

2003 - brutally hot, thick wines

2002 - incessant rain and cold

1996 - heavy rains - diluted (Brunello)

1992 - rain - light wines

1991 - rain - light wines

1989 - thin, washed out

Question 3

How was 2022 in Tuscany?

Answer 3

scorching heat and dry (some irrigation) - low yields but good quality

Question 4

How was 2021 in Tuscany?

Answer 4

Frost, rain, and hail lowered yields - season finished hot and dry - good

Question 5

How was 2020 in Tuscany?

Answer 5

warm and dry - rich wines

Question 6

How was 2019 in Tuscany?

Answer 6

Best in Maremma

Montalcino - slow start, some hail in July/Aug - GOOD

Chianti - light and aromatic

Question 7

How was 2018 in Tuscany?

Answer 7

RAIN - selection important, early vine

supple, charming, midweight

Question 8

How was 2017 in Tuscany?

Answer 8

frost, heat, and drought - selection important

top wines were best

Question 9

How was 2016 compared to 2015 in Tuscany?

Answer 9

2016 - Elegance, balance, structure

2015 - lush - warm and dry

Question 10

How was 2014 in Tuscany?

Answer 10

cold, rain, and hail

Best for Chianti (saving September)

Question 11

How was 2013 for Tuscany?

Answer 11

late ripening - sleek wines

Question 12

How were the 2012 and 2011 vintages in Tuscany?

Answer 12

2012 - midweight, summer heat and harvest rain - some wines compact

2011 - record heat “Lucifer” - ripe and exotic

Question 13

How was the 2010 vintage in Tuscany?

Answer 13

ideal ripening, great

Question 14

How do the 2009 and 2008 vintages compare in Tuscany?

Answer 14

2009 - massive heatwave, jammy character

2008 - rain - midweight, soft

Best for Maremma (early rains dropped yields)

Question 15

Best Tuscany Vintages of the 2000’s?

Answer 15

2007 - rich and sumptuous

2006 - big, powerful, structured

2004 - perfumed and refined, excellent

2001 - good structure

2000 - warm and fruity

Question 16

What are the worst Tuscany Vintages of the 2000’s?

Answer 16

2005 - spoiling harvest rain

2003 - scorching heat

2002 - cold and rainy all year

Question 17

How are the ‘99, ‘98, and ‘97 from Tuscany?

Answer 17

All good

1999 - big, powerful GREAT

1998 - warm weather, gracious midweight

1997 - frost and hail, concentrated and opulent - flamobyant RE-REVIEWED by Parker, haven’t held up as well with age

Question 18

What are the worst vintages of the 90’s for Tuscany?

Answer 18

1996 - cold and rain - nervy

1992 - rain - light wines

1991 - rain - light wines

Question 19

How were the ‘95, ‘94, ‘93’s from Tuscany?

Answer 19

1995 - Indian summer - ripe and exotic (best for Montalcino and Chianti)

1994 - dry and cool - intense ripeness

1993 - rain at harvest but successful (some hard wines in Chianti)

Question 20

What are the best mature Tuscany vintages?

Answer 20

1990 - low yields, hot - very generous, flashy and racy

1988 - vibrant, gorgeous

1985 - GOOD, intensity and volume

Question 21

How was ‘89 for Tuscany?

Answer 21

thin, washed out