The release of Saffredi 2018, the 31st vintage of the flagship wine of Fattoria Le Pupille, is further testament to the brilliance of Elisabetta Geppetti and her team who had the foresight and instinct to envision a Super Tuscan coming from the then unfashionable slopes of Maremma.

The blend of the 2018 is Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (32%) and Petit Verdot (8%) with the wine having spent 18 months in French oak, 70% new.

The 2018 vintage’s colour is an almost opaque dark ruby. The aromatics are less sweet than 17 but just as complex with notes of mulberry, black cherry and currants; with time in the glass there is a fresh Mediterranean herb element, woodfire embers, dark chocolate and sweet tobacco. Medium-weight on the palate, the register, structure and balance are all superb, with finely judged ripe tannins, a reserved intensity and wonderful depth of flavour. Gorgeous and impressive, this will only get better with time. 15% ABV

97 Points– James Suckling