This week I had the pleasure and the  privilege of tasting some super Tuscan wines that aren’t (yet) available in Ireland. In wine terms, this is the equivalent of Dave Fanning first hearing U2.

Though I can’t quite claim to have discovered this wine, hopefully in a few years from now I’ll be able to look back and say I was into “Pieve de’ Pitti” before it made the big time in Ireland.

Cerretello Chianti Superiore DOCG

This is no cheap sour heartburn-inducing straw-bottomed bottle of battery acid.

No, instead this has all the lovely fresh fruity sour cherry goodness of a Chianti along with good acidity and firm tannins, all underpinned by a nice depth and “farmyard funk” (as Gary Vaynerchuk could say).

The grapes? 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Malvasia Nero.

18,000 bottles (1,500 cases were made).

Moro di Pava, IGT

There are only 375 cases (4500 bottles) of this stuff made. Made from 100% Sangiovese, the grapes are carefully selected (“double selection”).

Very structured and complex, there’s a lot going on with this wine, yet it doesn’t suffer from being too big nor too bold. It’s slick, rounded, smooth, harmonious and delicious.

Scopaiolo

A new blended wine, made from Syrah (60%) Merlot (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%). Amazing to think that the first vintage was only in 2007.

Lots of black ripe fruits, a little black pepper with the Petit Verdot giving it a very distinctive taste. You’d certainly know you’ve had this wine, it makes its presence felt.

Overall thoughts

Three great wines from a tiny Tuscan area and ones I’d like to see on the shelves of Irish wine shops. It shouldn’t take long, though as this wine is really really good.

More on the wines

While I’ve only sampled three reds, there are a few more in the Pieve de’ Pitti range. Of note, the Tribiana, a white wine which picked up a bronze medal in this year’s Decanter Awards.

What next?

Visit https://www.pievedepitti.it/eng/ for more details on the wines and keep up to date with Colly’s blog, Sauce Merchant for updates on his quest to find an Irish importer.

Any ideas on how to get an Irish importer?