Caiarossa (BIO-ORGANIC) - Toscana IGT 2020

Wine Advocate

94

byMonica Larnerthe3/21/2024

This is an ambitious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Alicante (all the fruit at this estate is organic and biodynamic). The Caiarossa 2020 Caiarossa is one of the Italian wines closest to Bordeaux both in DNA (the estate is French-owned) and winemaking. This is a full-bodied red with a bold and very exuberant personality. There is balance and depth with plenty of purple and black fruits, spice and oak toast to add dimension and complexity. The 2020 vintage is a little thinner compared to the more concentrated 2019 vintage.

The Drink Business

94

byColin Haythe9/10/2023

(Toscana IGT; 28% Cabernet Franc; 23% Syrah; 18% Cabernet Sauvignon; 13% Merlot; 13% Sangiovese; 4% Petit Verdot; 1% Grenache; 14.5% alcohol). Oaky. Smoky. Cinnamon toast and Speculoos biscuits. A distinct and evident iron minerality. This is fresh, lively and interesting with copious dark berry fruits and a nice sense of both grip and tension. There’s quite a lot of tannin still to resolve, but the palate is nicely shaped and well-structured. Long and rippling on the finish, though the slightly dry grain of the tannin means that this loses a little of its freshness just at the end. 

Decanter.com

94

byGeorgina Hindlethe9/4/2023

Scented herbs and warm, sun-kissed black fruit on the nose - no surprise given it was the warmest summer since 1800 but with significant rain in June and at the end of August that allowed the grapes to ripen correctly. This smells like baked blackcurrants and roses. Supple and ample, generous and filling with gorgeous plump, but also quite defined, tannins that give the structure and the sense of tension. Fruit is tangy and ripe and with the acidity you get a push-pull of sharpness and ripeness. Round, direct, forward, this has energy and sculpting and I love the freshness that really lingers on the tongue. Well executed with lots of fragrance and a mineral, stone grip on the finish alongside dried herbs and liquorice spice. A delicious Tuscan wine with French flair (same owner as Châteeau Giscours in Margaux, AJ Domaines). Jérôme Poisson general manager of both estates since 2020 and Axel Marchat consultant since 2016. A blend of 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Syeah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 13% Sangiovese, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Grenache. Each plot and variety was vinifed separately and spontaneously in concrete and wooden tanks. After malolactic fermentation the wine was blended and aged for 14 months in barriques, 30% new, before spending two months resting in concrete and a further year in bottle before release.

The Drink Business

94

byColin Haythe8/31/2023

The Wine Independent

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe8/21/2023

The 2020 Caiarossa is a blend of 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 13% Sangiovese, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Grenache. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little broody to start, with notions of tar and rubber followed by a core of baked plums and cracked black pepper with touches of dried herbs and damp soil. The full-bodied palate is full of pepper-laced black fruits with rounded tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe8/1/2023

The 2020 Caiarossa is the best wine I have tasted off this property in some time, perhaps ever. Rich, deep and yet not at all heavy, the 2020 offers up an exotic mélange of dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, licorice, new leather and incense. All the elements are so nicely balanced.

I was deeply impressed with these new releases from Caiarossa. There was a time, a few years ago, when the wines were far less interesting. Since then, the team led by estate manager Alexander Van Beek, winemaker Jérôme Poisson and well-known Bordeaux consultant Axel Marchal have cleaned up the cellar and increased their focus on quality. The oldest vineyards here are just over 20 years old, so there is every reason to believe the best is yet to come. It's interesting to see that the trajectory at Caiarossa more or less tracks a similar increase in quality at Château Giscours in Margaux, Caiarossa's sister property, also owned by the Albada Jelgersma family.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe7/3/2023

Combines the structure of the Bordeaux varieties and the generous welcome of Tuscany, here translating into dark fruits that soften to delicious toasted spices, and plenty of liqourice, cloves, incense and underbrush. This was the warmest vintage since 1800, with harvest from the end of August until September 22, but the concentration of the vintage is mitigated by plenty of acidity. Excellent structure, and it's a thoroughly enjoyable, precise and well made wine, with a kick of eucaplyptus freshness on the finish, along with fragrant spices. Jerome Poisson winemaker, 31ha of vines, owned by AJ Domaines. 30% new oak. Axel Marchal consultant. Vinified in a mix of concrete and wooden tanks, then barrel ageing followed by a year in bottle before release.

Alexandre Ma

95

byAlexandre Mathe7/1/2023

In comparison to the purity of Caiarossa 2019, the vintage of 2020 distinctly carries a sense of profundity. Its most noteworthy aspect lies in the refinement of the tannins, with a rich yet velvety texture, seemingly draping the entire body with velour blanket. Contrasted with my last year’s tasting in estate, the current palate exudes an even more composed and robust demeanor. Although the floral and fruity notes are not particularly pronounced at this stage, it primarily showcases hints of licorice, pepper, and sweet spices. After aging for 5-7 years, I believe it will develop a fuller character, positioning it as a formidable contender in the realm of super Tuscan.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe5/3/2023

This is aromatic with dried cherries and plum skins as well as spiced chocolate, lilacs, walnut shell and nutmeg. Some wet stones, too. It’s full, structured and wide on the palate with super-fine tannins. It’s powerful but not heavy with freshness and crunchiness. Shows intensity and richness. Give it time. Made from biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Try from 2026.