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Wine Details
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By Bibi Graetz
'Testamatta' Toscana Rosso
Wine Description
'Testamatta,' 'crazy-head' in Italian, is the best word to describe Bibi Graetz - a positive, creative, and passionate person. Testamatta wine expresses Sangiovese's purity, minerality, and transparency from old vines on the top of the hills, characterized by soils rich in stones. A Super Tuscan made with 100% Sangiovese, a result of tradition and creativity.
Vineyard Notes
Testamatta grapes are selected and sourced from the best five vineyards: Vincigliata, Londa, Lamole, Montefili, and Siena. Each vineyard, divided into parcels, is harvested up to eight times, ensuring all grapes are picked at perfect ripeness. The five old-age vineyards (up to 80 years old) are in different areas of Tuscany: Lamole and Montefili in the heart of Chianti Classico at 600 and 400 meters altitude, Vincigliata in nearby Firenze at 280 meters altitude, Londa north of Firenze towards the Rufina Valley, and Siena in the south of Tuscany at 250 meters altitude.
Vinification and Aging
Hand-picked grapes, selected in the vineyards and later again at the winery, are destemmed and soft-pressed. Fermentations are conducted with natural and indigenous yeasts in open-top barriques for the smaller parcels and in barrels or stainless steel for larger ones without any temperature control or 'bleedings,' with manual punch-downs and pump-overs. After several days of maceration, the parcels are moved into old barriques and barrels and aged.
[Information provided by Folio Fine Wine Partners]
[Information is not vintage specific]
Region:
Tuscany
Vintage:
2020
Grape:
Sangiovese
Country:
Italy
Unit Size:
1.50Liter
Alcohol Percentage:
13.00
Appellation:
Toscano IGT
Wine: 2020 Bibi Graetz Testamatta
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038
Review Date: 01/26/2023
Reviewed By: Susan Hulme
Tasting Notes: 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.
Wine: 2020 Bibi Graetz Testamatta
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038
Review Date: 10/30/2025
Reviewed By: Monica Larner
Tasting Notes: Production was greatly reduced in this vintage [...]. The Bibi Graetz 2020 Testamatta is brilliant and vertical with a terrific sense of purity. The bouquet opens to tart cherry and cassis. The wine is vertical and lifted, and the acidity is nicely highlighted. The year 2020 was when Bibi Graetz bought a former hotel that he has since turned into his winery and home.
Wine: Bibi Graetz, Testamatta, Toscana, Tuscany, 2020
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2038
Review Date: 10/02/2023
Reviewed By: James Button
Tasting Notes: The addition of a further 12ha of vines - the first instance of owned rather than leased vineyards for Bibi Graetz - saw production in 2020 leap [...] and the wine was made in the new winery in Fiesole too. However, Bibi explains that 2020 was 'not an easy vintage...the first of three hot vintages'. It has a darker character than the 2015, with dusty red and black cherry aromas and hints of balsam and chocolate. Creamy, velvety and vertical with a lovely cherry character and an earthy background, it has plenty of freshness working the sides of the cheeks, but needs more time to uncoil.
Wine: Bibi Graetz 2020 Rosso Testamatta
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 10/2022
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: Dusty, floral and lifted with flinty crushed stone, peppery herbs and tart raspberry, the 2020 Rosso Testamatta makes itself known in the glass. This is finessed and pure in style, combining bright acidity and minerals with wild strawberry fruit, all carried across seamlessly silky textures. While structured, the 2020 leaves the palate completely refreshed as a web of fine-grained tannins frames pretty rose and sweet spice nuances. What a darling. I expect that bottle age will bring more flesh to the palate, but even without it, the 2020 Testamatta, a varietal Sangiovese, is gorgeous.
Wine: Bibi Graetz Toscana Testamatta 2020
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 07/15/2022
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Beautiful, fresh aromas of sour cherries, orange peel and lemon bush. Medium-bodied with firm, racy acidity and ultra-fine tannins that add brightness and energy to the wine. This is definitely following the new wave of crunchy, vivid Tuscany Sangioveses, which emphasize drinkability and transparency. Lighter than past vintages. Drink now or hold.
Wine: Bibi Graetz 2020 Testamatta Sangiovese (Toscana)
Score/Rating: 93
Review Date: 04/01/2023
Reviewed By: Danielle Callegari
Tasting Notes: The subtle nose on this wine releases oak notes first, then cherries, soy sauce, herbs, pencil shavings and eraser, and finally a little orange peel. Graphite and soil come through on the palate alongside more cherries, orange and dried herbs. Tannins hold their shape but let the fruit speak, while acid cuts right down the tongue.
Wine: 2020 Bibi Graetz Testamatta
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038
Review Date: 01/26/2023
Reviewed By: Audrey Frick
Tasting Notes: Scorched earth and pure sun-ripened fruit are at the forefront of the 2020 Testamatta, with ripe red cherry, tarragon, and toasted cedar. Medium bodied, with a mineral and lifted texture, it offers fine tannins and a citrus tinged finish. A razor edge of acidity drives the wine forward and creates a linear feel. It will certainly benefit for more time in bottle to ease into its full potential and can be enjoyed over the next 15 or so years.
