Our Guide to Super Tuscan Wine | 5 Best Super Tuscan Wines

Super Tuscan

Super Tuscan are high-quality and high-priced Italian red wines. By using a remix of French grape varietals with the classic Italian terroir. 

And these wines were born out of the desire to break the mold of the traditional Italian winemaking system. 

Call them unorthodox wines or the rebel wines of Tuscany! But Super Tuscan wines are high-quality signature wines made by noble wineries.

Table of Contents

What is Super Tuscan?

super tuscan wine

It’s an Italian wine from Tuscany, yes, but made of a blend of non-Italian (French) grapes. But unlike most other Italian wines, they are intentionally crafted with non-indigenous grapes.

And sometimes the Super Tuscan wine is blended with Italy’s most widely planted and best-known grape – Sangiovese – mixed with the Bordeaux grapes – Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. However, some are 100% Bordeaux grapes. 

Therefore, Super Tuscan wines vary in style (and taste!), but most have the apparent influence of Bordeaux, France.

How Did Super Tuscan Become Popular?

Super tuscan word map international grapes

In the beginning, Super Tuscans were relegated with to “Vino da Tavola” (Table wine) status – the least prestigious classification!

But now, they are considered “innovative” wines. And these bold blends have become popular to lots of wine lovers worldwide, commanding high prices at the same time. How? Why?

  • Because winemakers went rogue and included non-native grape varietals, going against traditions and regulations. And the wines were great, but they had to deal with a marker of a low-quality Vino da Tavola.
  • Also producers added proprietary names – wine drinkers remember the wine by brand, not by appellation.
  • Actually the first vintages of Sassicaia, one of the original Super Tuscans, failed to impress. But the 1972 bottle claimed #1 in a blind tasting event, winning over 30 other Bordeaux blends in 1978.
  • And in fact, Italy’s finest wines are only labeled ‘table wine’ birthed the IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) classification.
  • Furthermore, Super Tuscan wines are sold in elegant bottles with creative names! Plus wine producers use the suffix “-aia” in their proprietary names to indicate that it’s a Super Tuscan wine.

Quick Facts About Super Tuscans

tuscany central italy international grape varieties
  • Again, Tuscany is one of the world’s most prestigious wine-growing regions! And my favorite wine region to visit! So next time you go to Italy visit the Tuscan region of Bolgheri (located on the Tuscan coast), this is where the best Super Tuscans come from.
  • Because of Tuscany’s lime barren limestone soils (plus plenty of sun and rain), they produce high-quality wines: Chianti, Brunello, and Super Tuscans.
  • Best Super Tuscan tasting notes: full-bodied, integrated tannins, with hints of spice from oak barrels.
  • And they are aged in expensive Bordeaux-style barriques (french oak barrels), which gives them spice and vanilla flavors
  • Also having exceptional shelf life, these Italian wines can age for decades and perfect for any wine collection!
Italy Map Super Tuscans

Super Tuscan vs Chianti Classico

Super Tuscan vs Chianti Classico

What are my 5 Best Super Tuscan Wines?

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1) Sassicaia - Tenuta San Guido

Sassicaia Super Tuscan
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This first Super Tuscan wine is considered as the precursor of the now-famous Super Tuscan variety. And it’s mainly Cabernet Sauvignon wine blended with a little Cabernet Franc,.

Furthermore, it’s by far the most famous Super Tuscan wine in the world and has a strong celebrity following. Celebrities and athletes like David Beckham, LeBron James, The Obamas, and Mark Wahlberg all prefer this Italian fine wine.

What about the taste? Very Bordeaux-like – iconic and elegant.

2) Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore

Ornellaia bolgheri super tuscan best wine with filet mignon
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Again, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine, along with some Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Verdot (flagship wine). In fact, I recently visited (2022) their winery in Bolgheri. And I have only positive things to say… they have a brand new visitor center, a wonderful staff, and their wines are simply delicious. Highly recommend!

Sublime with rich, complex aromas and excellent flavors linger on the palate for at least several minutes!

3) Antinori Tignanello

Antinori Tignanello - best Italian red wines
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This Super Tuscan wine is from the Chianti region, was first created back in 1971. And today, it’s a tasty blend of 80% Sangiovese grapes, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

From one of Italy’s most celebrated and largest wineries with its world-class flair and Tuscan pedigree, this wine has overpowering dark fruit and oak aromas with black cherry and ripple plum flavors. Plus, hints of smoke and chocolate!

4) Antinori Solaia

Antinori Solaia
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Another Super Tuscan from the Antinori winery, that has 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese – it depicts the true essence of Tuscan wine. Because it’s made from grapes grown at the heart of the Chianti Classico region. And it has a dense flavor profile and a mouthwatering bright acidity.

Another dry, full-bodied wine wine, you expect a silky tannin mouthfeel with blackberry fruit, plum, and cassis flavors.

5) Tua Rita

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Tua Rita is distinguished with its aromatic signature of ferrous notes and a saline character to the taste. Because it’s located in the heart of metalliferous hills in Tuscany.

Tua Rita’s pure Merlot is a critically acclaimed Redigaffi. And it was the first Italian wine to be awarded a 100-point score by Robert Parker.

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