On the Road with the Grape Guy
Report from Anteprima Toscana 2026: Altra Toscana (the other Tuscany)
01 Sep 2026- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(February 2026) ... Here we are in the Altra Toscana room - this is where the other wines of Tuscany are showcased; though this year the pickings were a little slimmer than in previous years
Found quite a few good wines in the room especially from the likes of Terraelectae (Chianti Rufina's top end wines) and from names you'd recognize in the Italian-wine-world like Frescobaldi, Banfi, Antinori, Col D'Orcia, Brancaia, Nittardi and Sette Ponti.
I tasted a smattering of wines from a variety of these regions and I have to say I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Ciliegiolo - first introduced to me in Umbria but since seems to be popping up in some really good places. If you get a chance to taste, try or even drink a bottle, I recommend it highly. Two or three would be even better.
The usual Good / Better / Best is used here with full tasting notes given on wines that are rated BETTER and above.
BETTER-plus
Fattoria Selvapiana 2021 Vigneto Erchi Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Sweet and sour red fruits, juicy, fruity, delectable - easy on the palate, but with the right amount of spice, acidity and even a little minerality. Very Good.
Nittardi 2023 Ad Astra
(sangiovese 50 / cabernet sauvignon 20 / cabernet franc 20 / merlot 10)
Dark fruit at the fore with some lovely spices mid-palate to the finish; and speaking of finish, medium length and spicy - think of it as a spice sandwich.
BETTER 
Brancaia 2022 Ilatraia
(petit verdot 40 / cabernet sauvignon 40 / cabernet franc 20)
Chocolate and strawberry with a spicy finish; black cherry and cassis, good drying tannins.
Col D'Orcia 2021 Nearco
(merlot / syrah / petit verdot)
Lots of lively red fruit and spice; this is a wine you could drink all night long; acidity cleans things up quick. Nice finish.
Frescobaldi 2022 Vigna Montesodi Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Dense palate shows a richness of plum, blackberry and cassis fruits; spices and tannins lend a hand on the finish.
I Veroni 2022 Vigneto Quona Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Plenty of spice mixes with nice acidity and some darker fruit characteristics to make a wine that still has a dry, gritty tannin finish - should smooth with time.
Podere Il Pozzo 2022 Vigna Il Fiorino Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Nice concentration of fruit wrapped with spice and balanced by tannins - the fruit is dark and plummy.
Podere La Regola 2022 La Regola
(cabernet franc)
Notes of coffee, tobacco and spice on the nose; with blackberry, spiced-plum and Christmas spices mid-palate - lots going on here.
Sassotondo 2023 Monte Calvo
(ciliegiolo)
Juicy beginning, spicy middle, floral finish. I'm liking what is happening with this grape.
Tenuta di Biserno 2023 Il Pino di Biserno
(cabernet franc / merlot / cabernet sauvignon / petit verdot)
Juicy and fruity with a little mineral and spice.
Tua Rita 2023 Giusto di Notri
(cabernet sauvignon 80 / merlot 10 / cabernet franc 10)
Nice spicy start with some red fruits and biting tannins - this one is flavourful by the third sip.
Villa Travignoli 2022 Vigna Colonneto Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
black licorice, spice, dark fruit, plum, blackberry, with a cinnamon spice kick.
GOOD-plus
Brancaia 2022 Il Blu
(merlot 80 / cab sauv 10 / sangiovese 10)
Col D'Orcia 2018 Olmaia
(cabernet sauvignon)
Colognole 2021 Vigna Le Rogaie Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Marchesi Antinori 2023 Villa Antinori
(sangiovese / cab sauv / other)
Nittardi 2022 Nectar Dei
(cab sauv 60 / petit verdot 30 / merlot 5 / syrah 5)
Ruffino 2022 Alauda
(cab franc 52 / merlot 48)
Tenuta Bossi Marchesi Gondi 2022 Vigna Poggio Diamante Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2023 Crognolo
(sangiovese 90 / merlot 10)
Vinae Montae 2022 Vigneto Il Monte Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
GOOD
Banfi 2021 Summus
(cab sauv / cab franc / merlot)
Fattoria di Lavacchio 2022 Vigna Casanova Terraelectae
(sangiovese)
Sassotondo 2024 Rosso
(ciliegiolo)
Tenuta di Capezzana 2022 Ghaie della Furba
(cab sauv / cab franc / merlot / syrah)
