Perfection from Saffredi

Perfection.  It’s a word that implies a state which cannot be improved. Simple enough, but incredibly hard to achieve.

In the 25+ years I’ve been writing about wine, only five wines have merited inclusion into the Tuscan Vines “Club of Perfection”.

• 1990  Antinori Solaia
• 1990 Castello Banfi Poggio all’Oro Brunello Riserva
• 1990 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
• 1990 Avignonesi Vin Santo
• 1982 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falleto Riserva

Today, this club has a new member.

~ Elisabetta Geppetti and her daughter Clara (right) ~

The 2015 Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi is a masterpiece.  A herculean wine, this gem is exceedingly special and possesses the rare quality of deftly merging elegance, power, finesse and complexity.  It’s a towering achievement that should drink well for decades.

I was prepared to decant the wine, but after tasting a small pour, the wine simply did not need it.  In the glass, Saffredi is a deep, dark purple that is nearly black and completely opaque.  Exuberant aromas of blue flowers, crushed black plums, blackberry, mint, cured meat, spices and sweet tobacco are on another level.

On the palate, the first thing you notice is the texture of the wine.  Full bodied and viscous with a velvety consistency and a juicy, sapid freshness that cascades across your palate with power and liveliness.  Concentrated flavors of black fruits, grilled meat, savory fresh herbs and pipe tobacco are ripe, juicy and very persistent.  Wet stones and dusty mineral notes dot the finish.  With the grilled NY Strips there was nothing more to want.  Without food, as you may expect, the tannins are more noticeable but they are silky and well integrated.  This is simply an all time classic.  Drink now or over the next two decades.  100 points.  Find this wine.

~ The 2015 Saffredi is a stylish blend of 60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot ~

E vero!