1995 Saffredi
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Tasting notes
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Alicante. 1995 was not very hot. In fact, spring was late in coming, as was the summer, with fluctuating temperatures that were never very high. September was more benign and the weather brought a harvest of excellent quality. Harvest between 20 September and 12 October. 15,000 bottles produced. This was the last vintage followed by Giacomo Tachis, and the year that SolAlto was created. Light ruby. Some real complexity on the nose with black olives. Quite a substantial impact on the palate. Ripe, sweet fruit but good structure too. This may have been a bit overwhelmingly sweet in youth, but it’s at a lovely stage now. Some briary chewiness and just the right amount of acidity. Pretty impressive to have lasted so long and so well. Long with a real core of still-lively fruit. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 1995 is an excellent choice for drinking today, as it is fairly mature. Dried flowers, menthol, licorice and plums are some of the elements that come together. Early tertiary, gamy notes are beginning to creep in, while the fruit is drying out, both of which suggest the wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Though a touch lithe and even austere, the 1995 holds its own nicely in the glass.
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Alicante. 1995 was not very hot: in fact, spring was late in coming as was the summer with a fluctuating temperature that was never very high. September was more benign and the climate awarded a harvest in excellent condition. The harvest was carried out between 20 September and 12 October. 15,000 bottles produced. Giacomo Tachis hands over to Riccardo Cotarella in the cellar Le Pupille’s SolAlto is created. Elisabetta and Stefano meet. Mid weight crimson with some evolution at the rim. Meaty, sweet and spicy flavours – a bit obvious rather than subtle, and pretty developed. Not a keeper. (JR)
This wine, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Merlot and Alicante, can reach sensational heights. I purchased the 1990, and have enjoyed every bottle I have opened. The 1995 Saffredi is not far behind the compelling 1990. Made from extremely low yields of less than two tons of fruit per acre, and aged in small barriques, it is a medium to full-bodied wine, with a moderate ruby color, and sweet, cranberry/black cherry fruit intermixed with tobacco and pain grille notes. Lush, with excellent concentration, sweet tannin, and a nicely-textured feel, this elegant, concentrated wine should drink well for 7-10 years. This excellent 40-acre estate, owned by Elisabetta Geppetti, has produced a number of fine wines, including its value-priced Morellino di Scansano (the 1996 was recommended in issue #117), and this Saffredi, its flagship wine. A Leonardo Locasio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620