A Tale of Two Syrah

~ Cortona might be the birthplace for Tuscan Syrah ~

Syrah is grown all across Tuscany.  But nowhere does it rise to excellence like it does around the village of Cortona.  Since 2020, when the Cortona DOC was created, a dedicated group of vignerons has emerged.  Perhaps none other like Baldetti.

The Baldetti family have been growing wine grapes in Cortona from the late 1960s.  At the time, the grapes were sold off in bulk.  In the 1970s,  the father of the current owners began an ambitious undertaking to replant and renew the vineyards. That foresight paid off.   Today, current owner GianLuca Baldetti describes the family philosophy in two words: Quality and Passion.  They are on the right track.

~ A drone’s eye view of the Baldetti Property. A new, modern wine cellar was finished in 2012 ~

The 2021 Baldetti Crano is the flagship wine of the estate.  It is the Estate’s first 100% Syrah.  It defines the DOC.

Deep purple in the glass, with a shimmering violet hue at the edge of the bowl, this is as attractive as it is delicious.  But it doesn’t end there.  Aromas effortlessly arise from the glass.  Blue flowers like violets and iris are perfumed. Black plums, fresh sweet herbs, eucalyptus, hints of smoke are pure and glorious.  On the palate, this is round and ripe, but with palate cleansing acidity. Deep flavors of black fruit marked by trace minerality and toasted spices are juicy and fresh.  This is eye opening and I adore it.  95 points.  Baldetti is not imported to the US, but you can easily buy directly:  Find this wine.

~ Crano is the main Syrah produced by Baldetti ~ 

I have additional wines from them to try so stay tuned for future data points.  2026 Rustic Tuscany guests take note – Baldetti is on our itinerary for this year!

~ Syrah for Crano is hand harvested at Baldetti ~

I’ve written a lot about Castello di Bossi.  As Sangiovese goes, I love their wines.  From Chianti Classico to their sister property in Montalcino, they do it right.  When it comes to Syrah, it seems an after thought.

Grown at the Bacci family’s Montalcino estate, the 2020 Regina di Renieri is 100% Syrah.   Medium violet in the glass, the wine fades lightly at the rim of the bowl.  The wine was initially very tight on the nose, so I decided to decant the bottle. After about 60 or so minutes, faint aromas of red fruits and metal covered plum emerged.  On the palate, the wine is angular with soft black fruits that are shrill and lack intensity.  There’s no Syrah character here.  There is only generic red wine. There’s nothing wrong with it.  It’s just fine.  But to quote the great Roy Kent :  “don’t you dare settle for fine.”  86 meh points.  Pass.  Find this wine.

~ Regina di Renieri is 100% Syrah from Montalcino ~

Salute!