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!! — 2 months ago
A wonderful mature and complex nose of cherries , plums , dried leaves and leather. What pleased me the most was the lack of alcohol aromas given the warmth of the vintage . Just as pleasing was the lack of alcohol on the palate. The weight of the wine on the palate I’m sure was the result of the vintage. Cherries, plums and tobacco flavors were in harmony. Tannins lingered. If I had a “nit” it was the lack of great complexity on the palate.. — 2 months ago

Nicely concentrated Sicilian red, with muscular tannins backed by deep and dark fruit with somewhat sharp acidity. Reminds me of a young California Central Coast red blend. Nice pairing with red sauce pasta but probably better after four or five years of softening in the bottle. Had the 2023 vintage with Paccheri Lisci (spicy pork sausage sugo, fennel, sage, pecorino) from Jame Enoteca in El Segundo, CA. — 2 months ago
Just lovely — 3 months ago
Balanced, full body dark fruit. — a month ago
Perfect. It’s perfect. — a month ago

Very nice as noted previously, it’s got that Nebbiolo weight that floats. — 3 months ago
Fairly well balanced, light for a Tuscan but sufficiently flavorful. Better on the 2nd and 3rd nights if well capped. Simple evening dinner-wine with a comfortable 13% alc. Definitely a good value from TJ. — 5 months ago
Powerful aroma including cassis blackberry and cherry, oak vanilla. Chalk mineral. 30 min, much better, but not necessary for deep decanting. Almost 2019 Lucente 21 @6500, Bic - Oren I G, 250922-250924 — a month ago
Truncated cookout notes. Very Graves like nose with lots of cigar box notes along with rich gravelly scents, and some nice plummy fruit. Not quite as deep on the palate as the nose would suggest (it’s a ‘14) but nice acidity. Finishing a tad short. — 2 months ago

Dark and savory, not your fruit forward RdM — 2 months ago
2020 / high expectations, not a bad wine but didn’t live up to it for me. Maybe too young, maybe it was me — 2 months ago
This is a very punchy, rich wine, likely a blend of Sangiovese with some bordeaux cépages like Cabernet. Actually works very well with rich food and has enough acidity and balance. Not our prime stuff in style but honestly was really good. — 2 months ago
Popped in poured; no formal notes. The 2020 Pithos Rosso is, to my palate, a lovely Sicilian alternative to Beaujolais. Delicious, refreshingly fruity and just a touch wild. Sufficient structure to provide enjoyment for the near term, but I would just as well drink now. I really enjoy these wines.  — 4 months ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium deep garnet core , medium wide garnet rim . This shows very well still with some sous bois , dried herbal hints and cherry . On the palate this shows good freshness , red cherry again, freshly cut herbs , touch of tobacco and black tea . Balanced acidity and lightly dusty but resolved tannins . Good length and presence on the palate , with enough fruit still , good balance and a black tea stained finish. This is at peak , and will probably stay here for a few more years , so no immediate rush, but is unlikely to improve further . — a month ago