Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2007

From a roundly touted vintage, the 2007 Testamatta is the flagship wine from the estate of full time winemaker/part time artist – Bibi Graetz. A trailblazer for 100% old vine Sangiovese, Bibi Graetz has put the town of Fiesole firmly on the international wine map within a few vintages with his single varietal Testamatta. Graetz’s range of wines all come with an additional splash of colour as his own artwork adorns every bottle.Shunning international varieties, Graetz uses local varieties throughout his range of wines including Canaiolo and Colorino for other reds and Ansonica (imported from the beautiful Tuscan island of Giglio) and Vermentino for his whites. If you’re interesting in learning more about Tuscan varieties then the Bibi Graetz range would be an excellent (and guaranteed delicious) place to start.

Earning massive points in 2006, a 98 from James Suckling, the 2007, despite the A Rating vintage, didn’t fair quite so well scooping a “lowly” 95 from the old Wine Spectator man and a disappointing 93 from Antonio Galloni. I also enjoyed the 06s, so, with such damning praise heaped upon the 2007, I was excited to bag a case myself and see if the dropped points were warranted.

Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2007 – BUY - £75 (easily £40 within Italy)

Intense dark purple to the rim. On the nose the wine offers concentrated & powerful aromas of cedar, leather, chocolate, prune, cherry and smoke but it is on the palate that the wine truly shines. Super silky smooth mouth feel combined with layers of dark fruit, the chocolate note continuing to the finish with a flutter (I’m going to use “flutter” – deal with it) of violet on the end. 95 PointsFor those into instant Graetzification (ooo that’s good) then opt for the 07, a tastier, more vibrant wine for drinking today will be hard to find. The 2006′s score better for structure alone. The 2007 can be drunk, very happily, from 2012.

Do you have an opinion on the Bibi Graetz Testamatta 2007? Let me know.