In March this year, I attended the Cortona Syrah DOC tasting for the first time. It was a multi faceted event, including Syrah wines from other parts of Italy as well as Australia, France, South Africa, Bulgaria and so on. On this occasion, I restricted my tasting review to wines very close to home…
The main event was held in the Monastery of Sant’ Agostino Center in Cortona. Having arrived early, I witnessed a hive of activity: chefs running to and fro carrying huge Chianina beef carcasses whilst assistants stoked open fires in the internal garden surrounded by the porticoed walkway. This area was for the ticketed general public, and later in the day was extremely well attended. Just off the cloisters, in the Auditorium Chiesa Sant’ Agostino, the local wineries were setting up their stands to welcome visitors to taste and discuss their wines.
The President of the Consorzio Vini Cortona, Stefano Amerighi is an exceptional, highly regarded winemaker. On this day he was kept very busy with interviews, introductions, presentations, as well as meeting and greeting the assembly.
The press dedicated tasting was efficiently organised with sommeliers assistance. Held in the magnificent setting of the MAEC building (Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona) it was followed by a press lunch dedicated to Chianina beef. The menu was artfully prepared by chef Vittorio Camorri and set in the cloisters of the monastery of Sant’ Agostino.
My sincere thanks for the kind invitation to such interesting and enjoyable event go to the Consorzio Vini Cortona and to its president Stefano Amerighi as well as all the producers participating. T.W.
Tasting notes
Baldetti
Crano
Cortona Syrah DOC 2021
Medium purple in colour. Aromas of dark blue blossom and black berry fruits, with distant rose petal florals. Blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, liquorice and lead pencil.Warm entry, vertical, savoury with mellow spice notes. Balanced. Tannins and acidity in harmony. Medium length on the close.
Points 92 TW
Cantina Doveri
L’Usciolo
Cortona Syrah DOC 2022
Deep purple in colour. Heady florals of violet, bluebell and crushed rose petal. Black cherry, blackcurrant, liquorice and distant dark chocolate. On the palate, concentrated yet delicate. Juicy. Supple. Solid ripe fruit core lingers on the close. Balanced. Medium bodied. Well put together.
Points 92-94 TW
Chiara Vinciarelli
Polluce
Cortona Syrah DOC 2022
Medium purple in colour with pink highlights. Restrained on the nose; distant violet, dried tomato, black pepper and liquorice. Showing energy and breadth of flavour upon entry. Tingling acidity vie with rounded tannins. Solid black berry fruit core. Layered mineral structure. Long fruity close.
Points 92+ TW
Trevisan
Candito
Cortona Syrah DOC 2022
Bright ruby red in colour. Lifted aromas of red cherry, rhubarb, plum and citrus peel. Red cherry, pomegranate, blueberry and blood orange. Medium bodied. Layered breadth of flavours. Fresh. Agile. Juicy. Fine tannins vie with fresh acidity. Expressive. Linear. Medium length on the close.
Points 92 TW
Fabrizio Dionisio
Il Castagno
Cortona Syrah DOC 2022
Intense purple in colour. Aromas of rose petals, red and black berry fruits, distant leather notes. Bing cherry, blackcurrant, blonde tobacco, sage and mellow spice notes. On the palate, fresh zesty acidity rules. Rounded tannins. Lightly textured. Medium length on the finish. Needs bottle time.
Points 91-93 TW
Poggio Sorbello
Riserva
Cortona Syrah DOC 2019
Medium ruby red in colour. Aromas of violet, bluebell and lavender, alongside black berry fruit and pepper nuances. On entry, integrated acidity and tannins. Rich with good textural depth and volume. Lightly coats the palate. Delicate with finesse.
Points 92 TW
Stefania Mezzetti
Principe
Cortona Syrah DOC 2020
Medium ruby red in colour. Delicate aromatics of cherry liquid, black berry fruits, leather and orange peel. Black cherry, blackcurrant, salty liquorice, mellow spice notes with distant tar nuances. Lightly texture on the palate. Linear. Savoury. Buckets of energy. Poignant acidity outpaces the fresh crunchy tannins. Beguiling bitter/ sweet orange zest on the finish.
Points 93 TW
Stefano Amerighi
Apice
Cortona Syrah DOC 2021
Medium purple in colour. Aromas of cooked rhubarb, plum and cherry with cinnamon and clove. Redcurrant, cherry in spirit, orange peel, distant dark chocolate notes. Cool upon entry, tip toes across the palate yet leaves a glorious imprint of balanced ripe fruit, fine grained tannins, poignant acidity and a distinct saline impression. Medium length on the finish.
Points 94 TW
Tenuta La Braccesca
Bramasole
Cortona Syrah DOC 2022
Deep ruby red in colour with purple undertones. Aromas of ripe black berry fruits, sweet tobacco and dark chocolate. Blackcurrant, plum, blackberry and candied orange peel. On entry, youthful, agile, juicy and linear. Engaging bitter note and sweet accents follow mid palate and lifts the entire engagement.
Points 93+ TW
Buccelletti Cantina
Arnuta
Toscana Syrah IGT 2022
Medium purple in colour. Aromas of wild meadow florals, marzipan and fennel pollen. Blackberry, blackcurrant, damson, boysenberry, liquorice and blood orange. Saline energy drives the core. Rapier edged acidity. Compact dusty tannins. Articulated on the close.
Points 91-93 TW
Casale del Giglio
Lazio Shiraz IGT 2023
Medium purple in colour. Aromatics of dried herbs with sea shore ozone. Redcurrant, plum, dewberry, red cherry, orange peel and mellow spice. Citrusy in character. Fresh. Agile. Buckets of energy.
Points 92 TW
Fattoria di Magliano
Perenzo
Maremma Toscana Syrah DOC 2020 bio
Medium ruby red in colour. Aromas of crushed rose petals, violet, juniper and broom. Redcurrant, dewberry, salty liquorice, tanned leather and grilled herbs. On the palate juicy and agile. Good textural depth. Stringent acidity vies with chalky tannins. The latter tends to dry out the palate on the back end, but does not detract from the overall pleasure.
Points 92 TW
Giardini Ripadiversilia
La Costa
Costa Toscana IGP 2021
Bright purple in colour. Aromatics of red rose petals, balsam, damp earth and sweet scented dark spice. Blackcurrant, raspberry, plum, blood orange and clove. Coats the palate with ripe fruit, layered minerality and fresh acidity. Balanced. Rich. Vivid. Persistent. Wide and long on the finish.
Points 93+ TW
Il Querciolo
Occhio di Civetta Toscana Syrah IGT 2023
Bright purple in colour. Aromas of ripe black fruits, candied citrus peel and sweet tobacco. Blackcurrant cassis, liquorice, dark mellow spice, bitter herb notes. On the palate, saline infused energy, complex minerality nuances. Tapers after mid palate to a medium length finish.
Points 91 TW
La Source
Valle d’ Aosta Syrah DOP 2010
Pale purple in colour. Delicate aromas of spring florals, gardenia and pine needles, with menthol notes and blackberry. Coats the palate with the lightest of brush strokes. Elegant. Such class. Balanced like the scales of justice. Wave after wave of liquid pleasure. Hovers on the finish.
Points 96 TW
Michele Satta
Toscana Syrah IGT 2022
Medium ruby red in colour. Delicate aromas of red blossom florals, cherry liquid, mellow dark spice and chocolate powder.Blackcurrant , blueberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, tanned leather, candied bitter orange peel and salty liquorice. Light in texture on the palate, juicy, agile with great length.Tingling acidity with ultra fine tannins. With air intake bursts into life. Classy. Persistent. Lingers on the close.
Points 94 TW
Podere Bellosguardo
Pied Franc
Toscana Syrah/Sangiovese IGT 2020
(non grafted vines)
Pale ruby red in colour. Florals of violet and gardenia, cherry liquid and citrus peel. Red cherry, blackcurrant, plum, blood orange and salty liquorice. On the palate the wine is balanced, fruity, linear and potent. A whisper of alcohol warmth on the finish.
Points 91 TW
Tenuta Sallier de La Tour
Tasca D’Almerita
La Monaca
Monreale DOC 2021
Pale purple in colour with bright ruby red highlights. Aromas of crushed rose petal, citrus peel and fennel pollen.Red cherry, dewberry, leather and slate. Lightly textured. Agile and juicy. Medium bodied. Poignant acidity. Rounded tannins. Well extracted. Loiters on the finish.
Points 92 TW
© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2025
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