Fattoria le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano Riserva DOCG, Grossetto, Tuscany, Italy 2021

90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Intense ruby red. The smells are those of red fruits, out of which Marasca cherry, typical of Sangiovese, seems to really stand out. The larger wooden barrels allow for a greater evolution in the balsamic notes and spiciness. In the mouth the tannins’ refinement balances the softness, making the wine harmonious and pleasantly persistent.

Perfect with fist courses based with elaborated sauces, red meat based second courses or game, as well as with aged cheeses with mustards.

It was in the mid-1980s that Elisabetta Geppetti, only 20 years old at the time, inherited Fattoria Le Pupille from her father-in-law, who wasn’t interested in winemaking. Today, 30 years later, she is widely considered the woman who put Morellino di Scansano on the map of the world’s greatest appellations. She is also credited with giving the world a benchmark Super Tuscan, her family’s Saffredi, a label that has recently celebrated three decades of top scores and reviews.

Located inland from but in view of the coast, the vineyards at Fattoria le Pupille lie at roughly 300 meters above sea level, where they benefit from a natural day-night (diurnal) temperature shifts. The estate covers more than 400 hectares, with 75 hectares planted to vine. Although the winery is not certified, farming practices are entirely organic.

Elisabetta still farms the winery’s original 25 “historic” hectares where her world-renowned Saffredi is grown. In recent years, Elisabetta’s daughter Clara has also joined the winery team. Representing the second generation of women to manage one of Italy’s most famous wineries, she played a key role, together with Luca, in developing the winery’s newly released 100 percent Syrah, aged in amphora and named simply “Le Pupille.”