Mission Codename Testing the limits
“This is a wine in transformation and a wine to watch.” – Wine Advocate
Is this an error?
…we had to ask ourselves. Is this real life? Is this just fantasy?
Because in the past we’ve seen Testamatta range from $79-$99, seemingly the best price on this famous cult Super Tuscan.
But $59?? With 96 points from Wine Independent and another 95 from the Advocate, this is a must have for the collectors out there.
We did it, Operatives. This is HOT STUFF with legit press, it’s an icon for a song.
I can’t live without it, I just love it! You’d be out of your mind not to own one of these!
Vince might have been talking about the Shamwow, but he could have easily meant this treasure from Tuscany.
How much does a trip to the movies cost these days? MUCH MORE THAN TWO bottles of Testamatta! It’s THE Super Tuscan to own. He’s an artist whose parents just happened to own a castle overlooking Florence with some primo plantings. Long story short, he decided to take a crack at making wine. And today, Testamatta represents one of Italy’s best wines. Period. End of story.
A perennial high scorer and coveted by oenophiles around the world. That we have ANY is a feat in itself, but to offer it at this price?! You just love to see it. Antonio Galloni does too: “I continue to be impressed with the beautiful, highly singular, expressive wines of Bibi Graetz.”
James Suckling echoes that “Bibi Graetz is an iconoclastic Tuscan winemaker who takes a unique approach to winemaking… looks for richness, yet finesse, and great length and depth in his wines. His wines age really well, even though the first vintage of Testamatta was 2000. Graetz has an affinity for old vines, particularly indigenous grape types such as Sangiovese, Colorino, and Colore. There’s always a touch of genius in his reds…”
And that is what’s IN OUR GLASSES! Red currants, ripe cherries, dried earth, spice and a hint of nuttiness all emerge from this deep ruby beauty. It’s medium-bodied, decidedly seamless, silky, and polished, with fine tannins emerging with time. The finish is a symphony of fruit and earth, where ripe red fruits merge with scorched earth and dusty spices, goes on, and on, fanning out like a violet in full bloom.
At this rock bottom price, we’ve never seen this flagship at, time is of the essence.
96 Points – The Wine Independent
“The name of this Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2020 means ‘crazy head’, perhaps referring to Bibi’s passionate pursuit of old vine Sangiovese. This wine is a clear, transparent, ruby color and has a very appealing nose of delicate, pure, red fruits like red cherry and wild strawberries wrapped in spice and light salty notes from sea breezes. The nose is charming and alluring. On the palate it is very Burgundy-like in weight and texture with a fine silkiness to the texture but it has very Sangiovese-like tannins. The wine is round and silky with a juicy freshness and fine but firm, savory tannins that linger with bitter cherry and sea salt flavors to the finish. A graceful and characterful version of Sangiovese. Drink 2023-2038.”
95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Bibi Graetz has long been tinkering with his formula for this wine, and this vintage represents a new chapter. The 2020 Testamatta is a blend of Sangiovese from old and new vines, with a priority on cooler growing conditions (and even a few northern exposures). In the wake of climate change, and in the pursuit of elegance, Bibi is changing his approach. He also has a new vineyard property near Fiesole, and the introduction of these grapes (from a breezy, high-elevation site) are what gives Testamatta its beautiful clarity, sharpness and lifted bouquet. The new Fiesole fruit makes up about 30% to 35% of this wine. The results are vibrant, transparent and fresh both in terms of acidity and aromatic intensity. This is a wine in transformation and a wine to watch. Drink 2023-2043.”
What the Winery Says
2020 'Testamatta' Toscana IGT
- Winemaker
- Bibi Graetz
- Varietals
- 100% Sangiovese
- Vintage
- 2020
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Commune
- Chianti Classico, Tuscany
- Average Vine Age
- 35-80 years old
- Soils
- Sandy, clay, rich in limestone with abundant rocks
- Elevation
- 400-600 meters above sea level
- Exposure
- South/West
- Harvest
- 21 September - 8 October
- Aging
- 20 months
- Barrels
- Old Barriques