Fattoria Le Pupille — Saffredi 2022

I had double-decanted both wines that evening — the Saffredi 2022 three hours in advance, and the Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Valente (the estate's 'mellow' Merlot) 1.5 hours before the meat was served. A mistake? Perhaps. The Saffredi was just there. Unwavering. Asking: Why didn't you trust me? I should have. Having had the Domaine de Chevalier 2016 (Pessac-Léognan) just two days earlier — a Bordeaux blend with almost exactly the same grape ratio — I somehow thought the Saffredi's 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot blend needed more air. Never doubt a Super Tuscan! What a wine. Fattoria Le Pupille's flagship from the Maremma coast is one of those bottles that simply doesn't need coaxing — it arrives fully formed and commanding. A magnificent effort that earns 98+ points.