2016 Super Tuscan Coup

Dear Insider,

Wine Access members have been loving Mazzei wines since the early days, but that doesnt mean weve got the keys to every corner of the Mazzei kingdom.

In fact, one of their flagship bottlings has, for the most part, eluded us: Concerto, the familys regal, Tignanello-style Super Tuscan.

First bottled in 1981, Concerto dates back to the early days of the Super Tuscan category. Dominated by Sangiovese and bolstered by Cabernet, its one of the benchmark wines in the style. And although weve offered many Mazzei wines and many vintages of Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Ornellaia, weve only had the chance to offer this once, ages ago.

But on our last visit to Tuscany, during lunch with Filippo Mazzei himself, we shared a bottle of the 2016 Concerto. And that got our wheels turning.

Cellared since Tuscanys historic 2016 vintage, this is one of the finest bottlings in Concertos four-decade history. All the best elements of the house style are on display in this sumptuous, modern Tuscan red, wrote Antonio Galloni in his 95-point Vinous review. 2016 is a terrific vintage for the Concerto. I loved it.

This bottle has been developing in the Mazzei cellars for eight years. I just popped a new one minutes ago, and man, is it drinking beautifully! Our friendship scored us an allocation at the best price in the US: just $58, down to $54 per bottle when you buy six or more.

Claim your share now.

A Mazzei has been making wine in Tuscany for more than six centuries, but one Mazzei, Philip, played an indispensable role in American history. In 1774, Thomas Jefferson asked Philip, an Italian Renaissance man and friend, to plant a vineyard at his Monticello estate. Mazzei obliged, and Jefferson didnt just soak up Philips ideas about viticulture. In fact, Mazzeis writings inspired the iconic phrase, all men are created equal, which in turn inspired the world when it appeared in the Declaration of Independence.

All of us were told the story of Philip Mazzei, managing director Francesco Mazzei once recalled. It not only made us feel proud to be part of our family, it made us understand that we needed to take risks in life and in the vines, he said.

There are some fantastic Bordeaux-style Italian wines out there, but I think this is what a true Super Tuscan should be. It showcases Tuscanys unique Sangiovese, beefed up and deepened by a dose of Cabernet and polished to a supple sheen by small oak. When you take a sip, you can just feel that, when the first adventurous vintners combined the two varieties in French oak barrels, this is exactly what they were going for.

Its a beautiful wine at an unbeatable price. Youre going to love it.

Sincerely,

Pete Holland
Certified Sommelier
Wine Access Head Writer