Tua Rita's 2022 Giusto di Notri is a wine that flirts with perfection, and I think it embodies all of the ideals of what a Super Tuscan should be.
Rated 95-96 points by every major trade publication, that puts it in the same league as some very enviable Super Tuscans. It actually out-scored Tignanello ($200), it scored just one point lower than Sassicaia ($275), and it tied with Solaia ($350+).
At just $79.99/bottle, this is a great alternative to a lot of more expensive Super Tuscans that scored lower....
Founded in 1984 by Rita Tua and her husband Virgilio, Tua Rita is located in Suvereto, just south of Bolgheri, in the heart of "Super Tuscan Territory." When they set up shop, people thought they were crazy, as the prevailing opinion at the time was that the classic Bordeaux varieties could not fully ripen in these parts. Rita and Virgilio's inclinations proved their critics wrong, and when they released their first wines in 1992, they gained immediate recognition from all of the top writers, critics, and wine lovers of the world.
Rita Tua (second from left) and her family.
Over 30 years later, they continue to make some of the top red wines of Coastal Tuscany, but their prices remain incredibly fair. Case in point is their 2022 Giusto di Notri, a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc.
I just call it like I taste it, and to me, this drinks like a Classified Growth Pauillac sprinkled with Tuscan flair and bravado.
Rated 95-96 points by Vinous Media, the Wine Advocate, Decanter, and Jeb Dunnuck, the critics unanimously agreed that this was one of the top Super Tuscans of 2022. I had a glass after work last night, and I can confirm that the critics are right. Bold, ripe, and creamy on the palate, this is "rock star juice" that smells and tastes of cassis, baked cherry and plum, cedar, spice box, bittersweet chocolate, and pipe tobacco.
Is it drinking well now? Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the glass I had last night -- I sipped it slowly over the course of an hour, and it got better and revealed another dimension about every 5-10 minutes. Will it age? Yep, Jeb Dunnuck said it is "a very, very impressive, elegant wine in the range to drink over the coming 20 years."
If you want to see what the other critics had to say, click HERE, where you will also see that my price is very good : )
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
