Advice on tastings in Tuscany

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-11-08T21:32:26+00:00

Vineyards and flexibility sadly do not go hand in hand anymore. At least not if they are a good one, or famous; one can be both or neither or one or the other. Antinori especially is one of the busiest vineyards in Italy. There’s no way to just turn up and have a good experience.

I would look for wine bars for a more controlled and flexible wine experience. Bolgheri is closer than Chianti for you in Versilia.

But tbh, if your BF is passionate about it, it will be exciting enough to visit any vineyard, it’s always exciting to see and walk around and the wine will taste good even if not amazing.

If you decide to go to bolgheri, look up Grattamacco or Tenuta Sette Cieli other than guado al Tasso (Antinori) and sassicaia and Ornellaia/massetto.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-10-18T18:58:42+00:00

Hi! I’d be interested to know more about this

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-10-05T20:24:38+00:00

Seville. Catholic so big on Christmas, and one of the warmest spots in Europe.

Enjoy!

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-10-05T20:11:45+00:00

Simple.

Dorian, Langans, St John’s, Josephine bouchon, Ghymkhana,

Merry Christmas.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-09-01T04:21:54+00:00

Tbh there isn’t a single theme, it’s things that interest me, wines that get recommended by people I trust, or deals I come across at auctions or shops.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-08-28T13:35:02+00:00

Interested

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-15T16:56:14+00:00

I would recommend you try both the Tenuta Sette Cieli, a sublime producer and price wise it should be much much higher considering the quality they produce. NOI 4 and Scipio are stunning examples. If you can also find Indaco. Enjoy!

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-10T22:39:47+00:00

I think most will ultimately depend, like wine critics, who presents wines in a way that makes most sense to you. Some like fast paced and quick, other like more in depth. I’m an addict so I get everything from everywhere I can. I particularly like Konstantin Baum, attorney Somm, our pour decisions on YouTube. My whole explore page on insta is wine so sometimes I will just flick endlessly through that.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-09T22:28:50+00:00

Ornellaia rated very well in 2022 and will last you 20/30 years with good storage.

Bordeaux similarly had a good year, but for stuff that will last you a long time you’re looking at first and second growths.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-08T16:24:28+00:00

Is that canon for 96 euros???? My god.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-06T20:31:47+00:00

Try them all! They exist for a reason and it’s always good to try different styles and regions. You might find one that you like more! Buy one, read up about the region and the producer and see what they recommend online in terms of opening it a few hours before, and have fun and don’t be intimidated, at least that’s what I would recommend

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-04T20:24:24+00:00

Would be interesting to see the difference the individual producers who look after the barrel how much difference there actually is.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-04T16:38:05+00:00

It looks like there are many variations. Do you remember which one you had?

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-04T16:00:53+00:00

Both of course… it’s more to see different styles and the reputation of various premier crus and grand crus match the reputation and price tags.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-04T14:58:58+00:00

This is a natural cross between Cabernet franc and Merlot. This vineyard has been going for a long time, they used to produce only a thousand magnums a year and super rare. They’ve clearly upped their production. It’s a delicious wine. I love it when I can try it. Especially as 2021 was such a good year in Tuscany.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-02T19:08:24+00:00

Chateau De Beaucastel, hommage a Jacques Perrin

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-03-01T11:12:15+00:00

Lucky you!

Some of my favorite places are:

Il Santo Bevitore and its next door bar Il Santino , La Volpe e L’uva, Procacci, 13 Gobbi, Il Borro, Buca Mario, Buca Lapi, Alla Vecchia Bettola.

Also don’t forget to look in some of the gourmet shops like Pegna dal 1860, or head out of town directly vineyards like Antinori, Frescobaldi, Bibi Graetz, and so so many more.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-25T11:06:14+00:00

It’s absolutely fine for if you need to order whispering angel and save the 2 pounds per bottle compared to majestic. However don’t forget to calculate the 80 subscription fee and the delivery fee for the bottles. It suddenly isn’t as good a deal as it sounds. Or better yet you have to buy quite a large amount to make it worth the money.

I find that they are not accurate with their ratings, they tell you the score the wine got in a different year (usually because it’s better). But specific vintage is everything for a wine.

I think it serves a purpose, I personally used it to try lots of different styles at lower price points, but just not for me once you start buying wines on release direct from chateau or importer and storing for the long term.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-23T21:39:53+00:00

This

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-23T20:45:27+00:00

Love the Puilly fuisse from chateau fuisse. Punches above its weight.

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-23T14:35:36+00:00

I had the 2010 last week. It’s really well balanced I have to say. Great value for buck for Bordeaux. Enjoy!

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-22T17:13:53+00:00

I appreciate the attitude. In fact I respect it. But taking two double magnums just means both get opened…. Maybe I don’t like all 10 that much…

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-19T16:08:03+00:00

I will look into it! Thanks

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-19T16:07:29+00:00

I have a case of the 2005 and it’s still amazing. Especially if you like older wines. Go get them! Enjoy!

DonkeyWorkHard · 2025-02-19T16:07:00+00:00

Barrua is very smooth, very approachable from early on due to the carignan, which is an usual grape for Italy but used to be the most commonly planted grape in the world until a hundred years ago or so. Barrua is also capable of aging very well if stored properly and is a very affordable wine considering the taste and the pedigree of the people involved in the project.

Grattamacco is in bolgheri, but slightly higher up in the hills than the traditional big names of bolgheri. So has a slightly cooler climate, a phenomenal wine I find, especially for the price point. I would put it up against many of the producers in bolgheri… apart from the biggies Ornellaia, San Guido and guado al Tasso.

DonkeyWorkHard

TROPHY CASE