TUA RITA Redigaffi 2022

WA: 97

One of Italy's greatest Merlots, the Tua Rita 2022 Redigaffi is packed tight with sweet fruit, blackberry preserves, sweet spice and toasted oak. This is a fleshed out and generous expression with lots of proverbial fruit stuffing and volume. The oak aging regime includes 80% new wood and 20% neutral oak from various coopers, mostly sourcing from the tonnelleries Orion and de Mercurey. "There is no single recipe. We want to add as many colors to the palette as possible," says proprietor Stefano Frascolla. The idea is to maintain the identity of Merlot, he says, with muscle power and well-integrated tannins. The 2022 vintage accomplishes these goals in a package that is aromatic and rich yet also a little leaner and fresher in terms of finish. The overall message here is elegance.

VM: 96

The 2022 Redigaffi is packed with dark red cherry fruit, plum, blood orange, spice, cedar and new leather. Exotic floral notes develop with a bit of time in the glass. Firm tannins suggest a bit of cellaring is advisable. The 2022 is a terrific Redigaffi.

WS: 94

Juicy black currant and blackberry fruit is accented by vanilla and toasty oak in this balanced yet well-structured red. Hints of earth and iron add depth as the tannins on the finish suggest this should develop well. Merlot. Drink now through 2038. 983 cases made, 120 cases imported.