5 SUPER TUSCAN alternatives to SASSICAIA & ORNELLAIA

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Want more Super Tuscans??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4aqgWmKqth8hpYsi=TOiMHqgP4QYke9wF

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

The thing about these....I just turned 70; I don't know about laying anything down for 10 years. Maybe 5 years. Yes. I'm greedy, I want to drink 'em myself! 😅😅

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Do it! Drink all the good stuff you spent your hard earned cash on. That being said, these are enjoyable young but will obv show their best with time.

[@mrartdeco]

Drink it slowly tho 😂 too much alcohol will kill you faster. Surely you want to taste the vintage of 2030 in 2045 don’t you? 😜

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

@mrartdeco if possible; in 2045, 'though, I'd be an old fart! 😅👍

[@mrphil1956]

I was JUST Commenting something similar to AttorneySomm. I'm 68 and will consider laying a wine down for 5 to 7 years now

[@BillSaltbush]

Isn't it interesting how we all have differing views. I take delight in sharing my best and most expensive wines with friends who know their wine. I keep the quaffers for everyone else.

[@weekndatbernies]

Caiarossa is great! Hey Matthew, I love the Italian videos. The most exciting videos are where you have the most personal passion.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🍷😬

[@pedroguimaraes7643]

I almost dont drink Super Tuscans (more so if bordeaux blends are the recipe)....in Tuscany my money goes to Chianti Classico and Brunello. One cannot go in all directions (no space nor money for such). Im happy to be offered to try but its not on my shopping list. As usual a Nice episode. Would love to see a Bairrada/Baga tasting vídeo.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love Bairrada!!!

[@jacob9540]

The 2nd wine of Tenuta San Guido, Guidalberto, is a fantastic value at around $50 and is much more approachable in its youth than its older brother Sassicaia. I’m also a big fan of Ornellaia’s Le Volte as a reliable crowd-pleasing wine and I feel it far outperforms its $25 price tag. I’ve yet to try the other bottling of Ornellaia called Le Serre Nuove since I haven’t seen it in any stores, but I hear it’s great too and a step above Le Volte.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes all of those wines are delicious

[@pt79dk]

Just had guidalberto 15’ just WAUHH

[@maryverzella9841]

I have the 2019 Orma in my mini fridge chilling and waiting for that big fat Rib Eye in the future but today enjoying the Tenuta San Guido 2020 Le Difese with soon to be paired with my home made pizza. Love your reviews Matthew - Cheers 🍷

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Two good choices!

[@elijahumogilevsky7004]

Thanks for a lovely tasting! I personally am a fan of the Camarcanda estate of Gaja. Their Magari and Promis are a great value in my opinion. Tenuta Argentiera Villa Donoratico is a bonker for its price.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ditto on Argentiera…

[@itsmederek1]

What a fantastic video concept. Maybe do one for alternatives to white burgundy!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You’ll see several videos coming up w GREAT Chardonnays in them.

[@certisko1]

Super epizod Matthew 👍. Wines from Michele Satta (Piastraia, Cavaliere and I Castagni) were super and from Podere Sapaio were also really good. Most recently, I really enjoy Poggio al Tesoro´s Il Seggio. Verry affordable in EU.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Nice!!!

[@AnarchoKapital]

I just mentioned Michele Satta on another comment, nice to see I am not alone. Absolutely agree. We were there in 2023 and tasted the 2016 Cavaliere - I can only hope the 2020 will turn out at least half as good.

[@certisko1]

@@AnarchoKapital I think, it would be OK. I drunk 2006 Cavaliere in 2017 and it was super and still not at the peak.

[@nataliameylunas117]

Thank you, Matthew, a very interesting and exciting video! There are a lot of great value Toscana IGT wines here. I hope we will have a chance to have you taste some of Aiola new releases later this year.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I hope so too 😬

[@timdijkema1743]

Bordeaux blends definitely taste different in Tuscany. I think in part it’s the ripeness in Tuscany, plus the rustic edge on these wines from the “garrigue” like notes (rosemary, thyme, oregano). I was surprised that Oreno scored lowest here, did it get some breathing time? Just too young probably. Orma is a great alternatieve, but you have discussed it before 😄

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Oreno still showed well but these are all top notch wines! It was the youngest too

[@joe-zp7ge]

this to me is one of the most important segments youve ever done.SASSICAIA AND ORNELLIA are so fabulous its hard to find anything remotely close to them . The ORMA toscana is close and a great value.Will try the others now

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Orma is GREAT and showed up in a previous video

[@Italianbottlesbites]

I have a few bottles of the 2018 Oreno. I'm looking forward to pulling a cork pretty soon. Enjoyed the video, I'll for a couple of these.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhhh it is a good vintage of that wine

[@davidehorn2035]

Not sure if you've tried it but Le Pupille Maremma Toscana Saffredi is a fantastic alternative (at least for me) to some of these much more expensive wines.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That is a wonderful wine and has shown up on a past video on the channel

[@humble550]

Spot on! Saffredi is sooo good both nose and taste

[@ronaldlamascus1944]

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the captions on your video replacing the word “appellation” with Appalachian”! Now I love Appalachia but not sure I would grow wine grapes in much of that part of the world! Although, I must say, Virginia in particular has some excellent wines and particularly whites.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahaha auto captions… I do have some RdV in the cellar

[@Turambar7578]

Great video, have to hunt for a couple of those that aren’t available in my country. My favourites so far as alternatives are saffredi, Mazzei Siepi and sondraia. On the cheaper end of the spectrum, Caccia al piano- Levia Gravia was good, and two cheaper Antinori buys - Cont’ugo and Il bruciato have been regulars here. Keep the Italian videos coming 😂

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks and of course you’ll see more on the channel ;)

[@eliasmarius]

Sondraia by Poggio al Tesoro (Allegrini from Veneto went to Tuscany to make these wines) is my favorite. I think they use new American oak so it is a big wine but a lot of depth as well. Il Seggio is Sondraia’s little brother and is fantastic as well. Their first wine is 100% cab franc and is called Dedicato a Walter. I had it once but it was passed its peak

[@drmatthewhorkey]

All very good wines!

[@Turambar7578]

I second that. Had a 2013 Sondraia last month and it was fantastic.

[@ShortTermEffect]

The Villa Donoratico (Tenuta Argentiera) is excellent value for money. Other affordable 'Super Tuscans' are Terra di Monteverro, Camalaione (Podere Le Cinciole), Orma (Podero Orma) and Concerto di Fonterutoli. It would be interesting tot do a video about Morellino di Scansano: an underrated appellation.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Some nice producers up there! Morellino showed up in my Sangiovese Showdown video.

[@pt79dk]

I have tested quite some super tuscans and I totally agree on Donoratico

[@getsconesTRUTH]

I agree with you, the best super tuscans to me are the ones with sangiovese added.... Mmm, delicious. Great vid.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Delish indeed!!!

[@AnarchoKapital]

If you like Sangiovese added, take a look at Michele Satta‘s wines. He too loves Sangiovese so much, that he adds it to his Bolgheri wines and even makes a 100% Sangiovese in Bolgheri. The Rosso also has a noticeable amount of Sangiovese.

[@diegogodinhorocha9448]

Last year I had a lot of second and third wines from the Super Tuscan producers. I focused (and maybe they focus) on blends that usually had mostly Merlot with Sangiovese. I loved them all. Allison Slute made the (really smart) argument that those are actually good values since they are comparable to second and third wines from Bordeaux. My favourite of the bunch was Tenuta Luce's 2018 Lucente, but I loved Rocca di Frassinello's 2016 Poggio Alla Guardia and Le Volte Dal'Ornellaia from 2020. Honestly, I had a lot of fun with the cheaper ones as well, as Brancaia's TRE is one of my go-to wines and San Polo's Rubio from 2018 was delicious, and I will be seeking it as the vintages come. About Sette Ponti, I have the second and third wines available. One is Sangiovese and the other is a Bordeaux Blend, and there is a significant difference in price from one to the other. Which one should I go for? Nice tasting as is always the case.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Crognolo is a crowd pleaser! That Brancaia Tre is always great QPR

[@solomonmengeu1003]

Super Tuscans are a great category and a nice twist on Right & Left Bank Bordeaux. As you mentioned the price is continually headed north, so these wines are for those with deeper pockets. I believe if you head south in Italy, like Campania, Puglia, Sicily and maybe Calabria, you can find Bordeaux blends with local varieties at much lower price points. These wines should be put away for at least 5--6 years, if not 10. IMHO, only light reds like Zweigelt, Beaujolais Villages, and similar wines can be drunk 2 or 3 years after the vintage. Great video and lots of fun. Cheers!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There are value ‘Super Tuscans’ out there but often they are from small producers and can only be available locally. I like your statement, twist of left and right bank Bordeaux

[@NormanLobins]

Matthew - i live in Ohio what is the best way to locate the wines you feature or at least find a distributor for the area?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

wine-searcher is your best friend or if they are available on wine.com I link in the description box

[@Martin-jd3oc]

For me one that stands out in this broad category is Guado Al Tasso (Antinori) its about $133 for the 2020 where I am based (Sweden). Great wine. I’m sure you know it.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It's a well known wine! Good wine but never got me super excited.

[@jakopete1]

Interesting video! I do think though that in that price range you get much better wine from Bordeaux. For 100€ you can get a Pontet Canet, for 80€ you can get Domaine du Chevalier, and for only 30€ you can get Meyney, Poujeaux or Cantemerle, wines that give the Super Tuscans hard competition

[@weekndatbernies]

Agreed, BdX is a better value, but Super Tuscans to me are still pretty lovable even if they're not as good a value.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You’ll see a Bordeaux vs Super Tuscan video soon ;)

[@srenvalsgaard6618]

Love super Toscans. You have to try Solengo from Argiano, some of the best value for money in my opinion.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Very good wine indeed

[@saracintelli2946]

Capaccia the best one ever! Thanks Mat!!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You obv have good taste!

[@VektrumSimulacrum]

I tell you what Dr. H .... I've had so much red wine for the past 6 months I'm ready for a white wine kick. I still have 20+ bottles of all red wine I need to work through. But a punch-in-the-face blend or malbec would be a nice change in constant stream of Cab and Merlot. My dad went kinda nuts with the wine "deals". 😅

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahha white wines are where it’s at!

[@liamblake937]

Great video, id take bordeaux over super tuscans any day but i recently tried the wines of chiappini in bolgheri and was delighted! Corzano e paterno in chianti make a wine called “il corzano” which is also lovely.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Nicee! Yes there are a number of producers all over Tuscany making their very own ‘Super Tuscan’.

[@johangund4351]

Enjoy your shows Doc. How about the Chiappini range and esp Guado Di Gemoli. And the top with from Tenuta Argentiera as well

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love Argentiera and have talked about them on the channel

[@Never_Whatever]

Love your channel. I’m very curious why you didn’t choose other Super Tuscans from the same terroir (Bolgheri) as Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Super Tuscans produced over 160km away are going to be completely different than the well known two. Bolgheri is a very special terroir that has similarities to Bordeaux. Just curious because I Love Bolgheri wines and only live 20-25 mins from the area

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I go through what samples I have and figure out how to put a video together from what I have… If anyone ever wants to sponsor a specific video I am all ears…

[@Never_Whatever]

@@drmatthewhorkey That makes total sense. I was only curious but I wasn’t surprised at all that Biserno was #1 as it’s the neighboring village to Bolgheri. Love your content and learning more about wines from around the world. I’m fortunate to have lived in Chianti and now on the Livorno coast. Delicious wines all around Cheers from Tuscany - @CasaArdor

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Tuscany Rocks!

[@carlomazzali1916]

I drink regularly different Bordeaux blends from Bolgheri area. My absolute favourite price/quality ratio is Grattamacco (around 80 EUR today). On top of that I would recommend Ca’ Marcanda Magari (around 50EUR), Guado al Tasso (around 110EUR), Le Macchiole Bolgheri Rosso (around 25EUR). Unfortunately most of those have doubled the prices in the last 5-6 years 😞

[@drmatthewhorkey]

All fantastic wines and yes, the prices keep going up!

[@patricklo584]

Not sure if you have tried Monteverro Toscana IGT. It's an awesome Bordeaux blend that rivals a lot of the renowned Super Tuscan of similar and much higher price point.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I actually have tasted it and it’s good

[@franciscoramirez-bautist-yl7xp]

Great stuff, I really like Luce. That's one of my very favorite on that region. What do you think about that particular one ?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Not a big fan of that wine actually

[@ryanpetery859]

Great video as always! I'm a big fan of cab franc, do you have any recommendations for a high percentage or 100% cab franc from Tuscany for under or ~$50?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

All the ones I know are high end examples unfortunately. I am always all about Loire for value Cab Franc... There is a big blind tasting of Cabernet Franc on the channel that you will like

[@AnarchoKapital]

Have a look at Villanoviana‘s Imeneo and Sant‘Uberto. Both should be CF and Merlot blend, not sure about the percentages though.

[@AlejandroPDX]

another great video 🤓

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏🍷

[@Matt_Bykowski]

Interesting to learn about Super Tuscan wine. Way out of my price range though. Thanks!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks for watching! There are more affordable, good Super Tuscans out there… esp when in Italy.

[@BillSaltbush]

My 'Wine Table' friends and I meet on a weekly basis and drink the various presentations blind. We are all pretty well experienced in the world of wine tasting and oenology - a couple of wine producers of long standing, a couple of international judges in our group. More often than not, we get it wrong in our postulations as to what it is and from where it comes. I've noticed often, in many circles, that this is not an uncommon experience.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Almost ALWAYS happens in blind tasting and that’s why they are so powerful

[@Blair338RUM]

The Cappaccio sounds delicious. Can’t get many Supers here in Australia unfortunately.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You do have wonderful Aussie wines though! Stay tuned for an Aussie vs NZD video soon

[@drewcigna8197]

Can you recommend me any wines like Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto? I really enjoyed it recently

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Wines in this video!

[@brigodoro]

I,m not a supertuscan fan, not at all, but i have to admit that the Ghiaie della Furba from Capezzana was a really enjojable wine with a really good quality price deal.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That’s a good wine!

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

I just drank the Tenuta Belgvardo 2016 from Mazzei recently. Great wine. But compared to another and actually the first super Tuscan wine Vigorello from San felice I think Vigorello is a better buy. It's much cheaper here and in my opinion the quality is around the same.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Vigorello is another one of those legacy Super Tuscans

[@hocheye]

Great wines! Prices are about 30% more here so out of my price range but great reviews.Those grapes seem to have that edge that they do not in France, being acidity, tannins or minerality.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Are you in Canada?

[@hocheye]

Yes, Vancouver

[@kairodumba7924]

Hey Dr Matthew, would you go for a Cervaro della Sala 2019 or Gaja Ca Marcanda Promis 2021?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I am partial to the Cervaro

[@elliothm8370]

Sondraia is great. Also Prima Pietra by Castiglion del Bosco is a great affordable option!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Both are great, the later has surprised me often in blind tastings.

[@scottdunlap8668]

Galatrona Petrolo my fav ‘other’. L’apparita too.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good wines!

[@gustavomgomes]

The only problem with this video is that I immediately wanted to go out and buy some of this Tuscan pearls … lol ! Cheers !

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahahah thanks

[@hugosbalder6139]

As a right bank guy I am missing one of the great Merlots from Toscana!!!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

They can be good!

[@carlomazzali1916]

In terms of Sangiovese blend with cab from Maremma I would rather recommend Avvoltore from Morisfarms: great quality for 45EUR

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Niceee

[@ChristianSrensen-hb8ti]

Tua Rita “Giusto di Notri” (80% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 12% cabernet franc) is fantastic! Same High ratings as Redigaffi, and only 1/3 of the price👌🏼

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It’s a big rich wine for sure

[@TheMacallan14]

What about Saffredi and Orma?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Both of those wines are in past videos on the channel ;)

[@pt79dk]

Just had Saffredi 13’, very subtle and elegant but has become expensive… like many others

[@welshtoro3256]

Yep, all very expensive for what you get. Seriously, it's far too expensive. I've recently started buying Italian wine from a small shop in South Wales owned by a Master of Wine that specialises in Italian wine. His recommendations have been a revelation and I've tasted great wine from all over the country at great value.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There can be great value in Italy bc the diversity and the competition! Just takes some hunting.

[@Neurability]

Just get an Italian villa already and move to Tuscany. Be careful of anyone, especially a guy named Vito, offering you a “deal” on some rare wine he happened to find.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’ll keep an eye out for Vito 👀

[@r9243j]

It would be interesting to see how the second and third wines like le difese or guidalberto stack up against their more famous siblings

[@BigBobDookie]

Guidalberto doesn’t bear much resemblance to Sassicaia. Never tried Le Difese. I happen to have some, just never cracked a bottle yet. Le Volte (Ornellaia) is simple and rustic compared to Ornellaia. Le Serre Nuove is really good. I think of it as a brighter and lighter version of Ornellaia.

[@Lucabruzzzy1]

Lol I just bought a bottle of le difese right before I saw this video 😂😂

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Stay tuned…

[@BigBobDookie]

I usually only pick up soy sauce after quite a bit of age. Pretty weird to see it so early on.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I pick it up with big, rich reds sometimes even when young

[@giak7525]

I enjoy super Tuscans way more than Bordeaux of the same price range

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hot take!

[@carlomazzali1916]

Biserno retails for almost 200EUR, wouldn’t call it an attractive cheaper alternative, or at least not anymore

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It isn’t cheap but neither is Sassicaia or Ornellaia

[@horlee6126]

Tenuta Argentiera only 1/3 price of sassicaia maybe ? lol

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’m a big fan if that wine and it has shown up on the channel!

[@Ruirspirul]

Super Tuscan? more like Super Overhypedscan…😅

[@BigBobDookie]

Lots of fantastic values in Maremma and Bolgheri. Delicious and affordable wines. I don’t think the style is over-hyped at all.

[@jacob9540]

You spelled Napa Cab wrong

[@Ruirspirul]

@@jacob9540 not mutually exclusive. both can be super overhyped

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I admit that I do like Super Tuscans!