2002 Saffredi
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Tasting notes
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Alicante. The beginning of the vegetative cycle in 2002 was both early and positive, despite the alternating periods of hot and cold. In mid July, the situation was very promising and veraison homogeneous. At the end of the month, the summer became more and more cloudy, although the ever-present Maremma wine blew clouds away before rainfall. The first rain appeared only in late October, making the 2002 harvest, in contrast to many other areas, a year to remember. Harvest between 18 September and 12 October. 21,000 bottles produced. Dark blackish garnet. Really very mature nose reminiscent of fermented treacle toffee, with lift. Fairly high volatile acidity? A certain cool mintiness as the wine hits the palate. Then, very charming fruit with an edge of burnt straw that gives it interest. Lovely balance. A super charmer even if it’s not one of the most intense. It certainly doesn’t have an enormously long life ahead. It is already showing signs of age, but it gives great pleasure now. Light warmth on the end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Developed mid ruby with an orange rim. Subdued sweet spice and leafy cherry, with considerable concentration. Hints of tobacco and tar. Gentle fruit palate framed by quite a bit of tannins. You can see the fruit decaying a little bit while the tannins remain quite bold. (WS)
I had high hopes for Geppetti's 2002 Saffredi after being bowled over by the 2002 Poggio Valente. I was not disappointed. The 2002 is a gorgeous, powerful wine laced with dark red fruit, sweet herbs, spices, white truffles and worn-in leather. The 2002 shows marvelous intensity in the lithe, focused style of the year. Notes of mint and crushed flowers add the final layers of complexity. I am not sure the 2002 Saffredi will be as long-lived as the Poggio Valente, but it remains one of the handful of successes in this challenging vintage. The 2002 really blossoms in the glass, so readers should give the wine plenty of air.
The 2002 Saffredi (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 15% Alicante) is somewhat lean and compact, showing notes of herbs, tobacco and dark fruit with good length and balance. It is another excellent wine from this challenging harvest and looks to be a relatively early-maturing Saffredi.