Mazzei Siepi 2019 (3.0L)

99 VM / 98 WI / 98 JS / 97 JA / 96 WA / 96 DE / 96 WS / 17++ JR

#19 James Suckling's Top 100 Italian Wines of 2021
#22 Wine Independent Top 25 QPR Collector Wines 2022

The 2019 Siepi continues a trend towards greater finesse and nuance in this wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, licorice and plum meld together effortlessly in the glass. Dense and layered, with striking detail, the 2019 is so impressive. The flavors are bright, bold and punchy. An exceptionally beautiful and riveting wine, the 2019 is rich and concentrated, but not at all heavy. What a total knock-out. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

This Siepi 2019 is just delightful! It is so precise on the nose, with subtle cream notes and restrained, fragrant, floral aromas. It shows the joy of young, vibrant plum and blackberry fruit wrapped in ripe, fine, gentle tannins. On the palate it is round and smooth, quite full-bodied but elegant with creamy fruit and a gentle oak integration. It is very young and not yet fully formed but it is already so appealing. It has a lively, refreshing finish. Siepi is a single vineyard wine - a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Sangiovese vines grown on alberese soil in Castellina in Chianti and surrounded by dense woods. “The 2019 was a superb, very classic vintage,” comments owner Filippo Mazzei. There were great diurnal differences in temperature in September, which is when it counts to produce ripe, yet crunchy fruit with plenty of aroma and flavors. Drink 2023 to 2043. - Susan Hulme, Wine Independent

This is a really racy and fine Siepi with currant, black-cherry and dark-chocolate character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with very long, intense tannins that are linear and fine-textured. Really builds on the palate. Super structure. Finesse with power. Try after 2024 and onwards. - James Suckling .com

The second year on the Place for the Mazzei family with Siepi. What a brilliant vintage of this wine, raspberry, redcurrant, sage, tobacco leaf and savoury cherry pit. Moreish and delicate but powerful and intense, and just so drinkable in that way the best Italian wines always are - you can imagine this being passed around a table and everyone wants a piece. Love it. The same family as Conterno, in the wine business since 1435. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Now on the market, the Mazzei 2019 Siepi is a special achievement and a delight to taste at the exciting conclusion of this historic retrospective spanning 26 vintages. This edition of Marchesi Mazzei's celebrated blend of Merlot and Sangiovese benefited from ideal growing conditions, with warm days and cool nights throughout the summer season. The clusters were healthy and full. The fruit is crisp and fresh, and the tannins serve to softly support the wine's generous texture and fiber. The 2019 vintage also achieves balance with a pretty assembly of dark fruit, mineral and spice aromas. Production is 35,000 bottles.--Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

This has the same owner, location and team as Concerto - the Mazzei family who founded the estate in 1435 but this is a 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Power and seduction straight away on the nose, this smells intensely of black cherries and blueberries. The palate is juicy and instantly mouthwatering giving an abundance of succulent red berries and a touch of herbal spice on the finish. This is excellent quality, I adore it. Smooth and silky with purity and energy. Really shines in the glass - drinking well now but will also age. The second vintage on the Place for Siepi since its debut last year. Drinking Window 2021 - 2030 - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Wine Spectator Insider Hot Wine. Perfumed and elegant, this red features vibrant cherry, black currant and blackberry flavors allied to a supple texture. Offers mineral, tobacco, wild herb and spice accents that add detail, with lively acidity keeping it defined and persistent. Harmonious, with excellent finesse and a long aftertaste. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2043. From Italy.—B.S., Wine Spectator

Lively, sinewy nose of balsamic. Very appetising and sleek-fruited. Already enjoyable. Quite a feat! Marked acidity but fun. Easier to see the Sangiovese than the Merlot, so this is a genuine representative of Tuscany and the hills it was grown in, but it still has a long way to go. - Jancis Robinson