Mazzei Siepi 2022 Case (750MLx6)

98 DB / 97 JS / 97 JA / 96 WA

(Toscana IGT; 50% Merlot; 50% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14.5% alcohol; tasted at Castello di Fonterutoli in June with Giovanni Mazzei as part of a vertical, just before bottling before its September release; tasted again at Joanne’s hors Bordeaux tasting in July). The 30th anniversary release from Siepi. The darkest and most densely coloured in the glass in the vertical tasting. Ethereal. Relaxed. Harmonious. Plump, plush, amble and broad on the opening, though reined in quickly by the grippy tannins. Yet soft, succulent and lithe, the oak better integrated than the 2021 and with much the same sense of concentration and density as the 2020. Perfumed, floral, complex, with patchouli, chocolate ganache and black pen ink vying for attention. Broad on the attack yet taut in the mid-palate and nicely layered. Silkily-textured rather than the velvet of the 2020. The sense of volume and density builds in the mouth with aeration, with the pixilating tannins seeming to infiltrate each layer. Sapid. Excellent and, alongside the 2020, the pick of the vertical tasting. - Colin Hay, Drinks Business

The aromas of dark berries, violets and perfume are enchanting. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and so elegant and they run the length of the wine. They are rather endless. Very classy and balanced. A merlot and sangiovese blend. Give this a year or two, but it’s already a joy to drink. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

Deep ruby in colour, this is concentrated compared to many in Tuscany, love the super savoury feel, tongue-scraping architecture, with so much freshly cut herb edging and heavy liqourice root and gunsmoke alongside raspberry and cassis fruit. Brilliant, up there with the very best of the Bordeaux-Tuscan wines, where the grapes and the region truly each play their part in creating the personality of the wine. The vineyards for Siepi are in Castellina in Chianti, harvest September 5 to 17, 70% new oak for ageing, large oak casks for the Sangiovese, then three months in concrete tanks before release. Tasted with the September Releases and again at the estate. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The Mazzei 2022 Siepi marks this wine's 30th anniversary. I have a special connection to this wine, as I was present when some of the final blending options (with fruit from various parcels within the greater Siepi vineyard) were being decided. My personal preference was for the interpretation that showed the brightest fruit and the most energy. Those qualities are transferred over to this bottle, and I do agree that this celebratory vintage offers an excellent opportunity to tweak the winemaking of this historic blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This warm vintage offers plenty of primary fruit with bold cherry as the protagonist. Softer tones of blue flower and grilled rosemary appear at the back. However, the oak spice and cinnamon need time to integrate. The results put the 2022 vintage on par with classic years such as 2021 and 2019. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate