Tua Rita, Giusto di Notri, Tuscany, Italy, 2017

Overview The Wine
Rita Tua and her husband, Virgilio Bisti, bought approximately 37.5 acres of land in 1984 and planted it with Cabernet and Merlot. They later purchased an additional 17.5 acres of land, bringing the total estate to 55 acres, of which about 45 are planted with vines. The winery released its first vintage in 1992, and soon began receiving praise and accolades from wine enthusiasts worldwide for its rich, full-bodied wines. In just five short years, its 100% Merlot had achieved cult-like status, receiving outstanding ratings from the world’s most prestigious wine critics and publications. Critic Robert M. Parker Jr. said the 1999 Redigaffi was “as close to perfection as a wine can get.” The following year, he gave the 2000 Redigaffi a perfect 100 score. The winery’s Bordeaux blend, Giusti di Notri, also garners near-universal praise. Little wonder that Tua Rita’s wines are considered among the most difficult to find in Italy. Tua Rita is located in Suvereto, a small medieval town in the Tuscan province of Livorno, on the coast south of Bolgheri. The winery lies at just 300 feet above sea level, on clay, silty soil. Luca D'Attoma, the estate’s winemaker, keeps yields to a minimum to ensure concentration of flavors. The estate’s total annual production is currently just 3400 case.

Grape / Blend 
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Tuscany, Italy 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Deep purple in color, Giusto di Notri offers abundant aromas of blackberry, plum and currants with underpinnings of coriander, violet and a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, with ripe, fine tannins, and a silky texture, this is a stunning wine with great aging potential.

Ideal for barbecued ribs, steaks, grilled meats and medium-aged cheeses.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Monica Larner Issue Date 30th Aug 2019 Source Issue 244 End of August 2019, The Wine Advocate The 2017 Giusto di Notri is a special 25th anniversary bottling that is chiseled, sharp and focused. The small part of Merlot gives it some added sweetness (the percentage of Merlot was slightly reduced in this vintage), the touch of Cabernet Franc contributes the power, freshness and dark fruit, and along with a starring role of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has lots of beautiful plushness restrained by a tight, disciplined linearity. This vintage saw less time in barrique (about 16 months) but the barrels had more toasting. There is a lasting mineral note of chalk or limestone that frames the dark and opulence quality of fruit at its core. The bouquet is stunning. The wine treads lightly in the palate, with a very elegant and nuanced approach. It really is another gorgeous wine from Tua Rita that shows the profound skill of this winemaking team even when faced with a hot vintage such as this.

96 Points - James Suckling
A bright and fruity red with a level of tightness and precision that suggests greatness. Medium to full body. Intense tannins give focus to the center palate. Super length and beauty. Celebrates its 25th anniversary. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc and 8% merlot. Drink after 2022.

93 Points - Vinous
A wine of substance and depth, the 2017 Giusto di Notri is terrific. In 2017, the Giusto has a bit less opulence than normal (typical of wines of the coast in this vintage) and yet that also gives it more immediacy. A rush of sweet red/purplish berry fruit, cinnamon and spice builds as the 2017 shows off its racy curves. Drinking window: 2021 - 2029.