Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Valdisanti Toscana 2020
Toscana IGT, Tenuta San Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Named in honor of Pier Luigi Tolaini’s mother, Valdisanti is Tolaini’s signature Super Tuscan from Tenuta San Giovanni—right at the southern edge of Chianti Classico. The 2020 vintage is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit and features a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc blend. This pure Bordeaux-style combination underscores both structure and aromatic vibrancy, reflecting both modern winemaking finesse and Tuscan terroir.  

Aromas & Flavors
Dark and compelling on the nose—black cherry, ripe cassis, and tobacco merge with aromatic notes of Mediterranean herbs, graphite, and leather. Layered hints of licorice and espresso build toward a rich, spice-kissed finish.   

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm yet supple tannins and lively acidity. The wine is generous on the palate yet balanced, leading to a long finish that reveals depth and elegant austerity.   

Winemaking Notes
Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and optically sorted, then fermented on skins for 25 days in French oak vats. Aging continues for 16 months in French barriques, including 6 months on lees, drawing out both richness and aging potential.  

Food Pairing
Pairs brilliantly with Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its structure also complements urban grills, roasted game, or hearty stews.

Verdict
Valdisanti 2020 is a refined Super Tuscan that marries Bordeaux balance with Tuscan character. With its 50/50 Cabernet blend and meticulous winemaking, this wine is both graceful and powerful—a true standout for collectors and dinner tables alike. It will cellar beautifully over the next 10–15 years. A la salute!! — 8 months ago

Brian S

9.5

Red and blue fruits, fermented orange peel, cocoa, dark chocolate, espresso, boot strap leather. This wine is a beast! — 5 years ago

with Ellie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Seasonal Grand Opening of the D&S Lounge. That’s going to require some BSR to celebrate.

As well, going to detail notes of this with my new Riedel Vintage Sommelier flutes, center picture. I’ve been wanting to write notes on this Champange in the new flutes as I wanted to do it one I am very well acquainted. As @Paul T- Huntington Beach & @Severn Goodwin have pointed out the many times I have posted it.

The nose is definitely more vibrant. Tangerines lead where they haven’t in my previous notes now using the new flutes. More pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, lemon/lime aid, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses.

The body is round with some gummy or gluiness. Everything about the mouthfeel is more delicate and softer. The bubbles smaller & more refined. Pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, almost a date presence on the long set, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, lighter intensity of white spices but, still has the heat & palate penetration, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses. The acidity is all fresh & lively with this cuvée. But, even that seems better. The finish is as always; well knitted & balanced, polished, fresh, persistent and never disappoints.

Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 6 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.2

Fresh and bright with red cherry and plum fruit accented with tar, floral and brown spice notes. Palate has lovely texture with nice fruit and round tannins. Lacking a touch of depth and complexity that I would have expected with the bottle age. While not profound, very pleased to have 6 more bottles. — 7 years ago

Raj Harb

9.3

Float like a butterfly sting like a bee — 8 years ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.7

I’m a sucker for these 90’s low alc cali cabs — a year ago

R Bl

9.1

Closed fruity/ mineral nose. Palate at first closed, even dilute; then stronger white fruit, good acid, sturdy minerals; improves after an hour. Then fruit (citrus/ stone fruit/ star fruit) and saline minerals; finishes with star fruit, a bit of oak, a hint of anise. Might expect more development in a few years. — 3 years ago

David Walser

9.1

€15.90 on the restaurant wine list. The wine list said it is a blend but the bottle only mentions Tempranillo. Pleasant enough to order again. Restaurant will be changing name/venue soon. Enjoyed our meals here overlooking the boardwalk & beach. — 4 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Never heard of Tempranillo Blanco. Is that a grape? Golden, straw colored. Smells like Albariño or a French Rhone type white. Honey, sweet baked goods, sage, carrot seeds and oak. Flavors are strange and unfamiliar. Crisp, zesty, with a streak of tart green apple. Some honey, but not sweet at all. Just a hint of that CA chard stuff with the oak flavors. But it’s not really like any white I can place. Most resembles Rhone white blends. It’s a fun wine to try, and it’s nice. Complex and just a bit funky. — 5 years ago

Jaehyuck Lee

9.0

드라이하고 가볍게 마시기 좋은 논빈티지 샴페인. 모르고 시켰는데 기분좋게 마셨습니다 :) — 7 years ago

with Boin

Sydne Ann

10

Opens up like a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. — 7 years ago

with Sándor

Gregoire Letort

9.0

like a Barolo, aged very well after 11y, Nose very attractive and attack and mid palate very firm and full — 7 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.7

Fantastic! Very tannic still but lush fruits, tobacco, — 8 years ago

with Natasha

Brendan Powell

9.1

Great value! Would buy again. From LCBO — 3 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Top Notch for a sub $20 bottle — 3 years ago

with TwiLea

David Walser

9.1

At La Gazzetta Italian restaurant for the second time. The first wine we tried here last time we didn’t like so we tried a different, more expensive one this time. Much better experience by spending a few more Euros…22.50€ on the wine list but the only charged us 18.50€ because we told them we didn’t like their 18.50€ wine. Nice gesture…one that will bring us back. — 3 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Great aperitif bubbles! — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Nice wine. Although "young" compared to the others I've had which are in the 80's and 90's, this wine is a really nice change of pace. Nose still has the brambly, fruit and tobacco and almost 'foresty' notes that the older ones have a bit more of (and, to me, have QUITE a bit more of). Yet, on the palate this is a combination of sweet and tart fruit. Plum, hint of raisin, tobacco, hint of herb with nice bracing acidity on the finish. I think this wine would go very nicely with a myriad of foods, without trying to compete or outdo those foods. Seems IMO to be more in balance than the ones with 10-20 more years. — 7 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 1 other

Linda smith

8.9

Nice smooth dry reserva wine. Slight Smokey finish Italy. Pignettis. Paired with cheese bacon tray enjoyed it better after it was able to breathe Zacch ordered a case Retail $29.99 — 7 years ago

with Elizabeth and Zacch

Chris England

9.6

Fab £157 Sass now £234 😱 but life is short 😁

🍇 85% Cab S & 15% Cab F

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Stewed & spiced blackcurrant/berry & plum through smoked earthy dusty herbs & burnt oak w/ rocky minerals, leather, prune, liquorice & vanilla choc mocha

👄 Med smooth velvet body of herby earthy blackcurrant w/ mocha, prune & red cherry/currant tones in dry minerals & a liquorice hint

🎯 Med+ earthy dark & red fruit touch dry mocha herby earthy happiness 😍
— 8 years ago