# Redigaffi (2022)

- **Producer:** Tua Rita
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €583
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, black plum, ripe fruit, cedar, cloves, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, earth, leather

## About this wine

Tua Rita Redigaffi is a 100% Merlot wine from the Toscana IGT appellation, produced by Tua Rita in Suvereto, Tuscany. First released in 1994 from vines planted in 1988, it has gained international recognition as a cult wine. The estate, founded by Rita and Virgilio Bisti, is known for its focus on Merlot. The wine's name is derived from a local stream. The 2022 vintage was characterized by a hot growing season that required careful selection across multiple harvest dates.

## Interesting facts

- Named after a small stream near the property.
- The 2000 vintage was the first Italian wine to score 100/100 from Robert Parker.
- Considered one of Italy's most difficult wines to find.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and polished tannins are well-suited to rich protein sources, where they can complement the meat's texture and fat. Savory and earthy flavors in dishes can echo the wine's profile, while fruit-forward sauces can create a harmonious balance.

## Wine making process

The Tua Rita Redigaffi undergoes fermentation in steel tanks, with a 10-day fermentation followed by 25 days of maceration. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 18-20 months, with 80% in new French oak barriques and 20% in neutral oak. The vineyard soils are clayey with a significant pebble fraction. The 2022 harvest involved six separate pickings due to the hot growing season and the need for strict selection. Farming practices are described as 'close to nature'.