Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi Toscana 2018

Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi Toscana 2018 is a 750ml Super Tuscan red blend from Maremma, Tuscany, bottled at 15% ABV. Rated 97 points by James Suckling and named #8 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2022, this vintage stands among Italy's most celebrated reds of the decade.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Maremma, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti)

Production & Heritage

Fattoria Le Pupille is the estate of Elisabetta Geppetti, one of Maremma's pioneering vignerons who helped put this once-overlooked southern Tuscan coast on the international fine wine map. Saffredi was born from Geppetti's collaboration with the legendary enologist Giacomo Tachis — the same consultant behind Sassicaia and Tignanello — and quickly established itself among the elite tier of Super Tuscans. The 2018 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot, fermented at 26°C in stainless steel tanks with 30 to 45 days of maceration on the skins. Roughly 60% of the wine was then refined in new French oak barriques, contributing structure and subtle toasty complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark fruit — black cherry, plum, and black currant — before unfolding into layers of cured tobacco, campfire embers, and pencil shavings. Given time in the glass, secondary notes of sage, rosemary, rose petal, and spicy chocolate emerge, building remarkable complexity.

Taste: The entry is plush and full, with ripe blackberry and sweet red cherry leading into a mid-palate of mocha, licorice, and cinnamon. Dense and structured, the wine carries its 15% alcohol with surprising poise, supported by firm yet polished tannins and well-integrated oak spice. A subtle menthol lift and violet accent add freshness to the concentrated fruit core.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, trailing off with dark chocolate, smoked meat, and a persistent mineral-earthy note. Tannins linger without harshness, leaving a savory warmth that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Saffredi 2018

Serve at 16–18°C and decant for at least an hour; this is a wine that rewards patience and opens dramatically with air. At its core, Saffredi 2018 is built for drinking neat, but its structure and concentration make it a commanding partner at the table alongside rich dishes. A classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina lets the wine's tannin and dark fruit sing. Braised short ribs with red wine reduction mirror its savory depth. Aged Pecorino Toscano echoes the wine's earthy, herbal undertones.

Best For

• Cellaring for a milestone anniversary or special occasion five to fifteen years out
• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector a proven benchmark vintage
• Anchoring a Super Tuscan vertical tasting alongside Ornellaia and Sassicaia
• Pairing with a holiday prime rib or grilled Chianina beef dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Saffredi 2018 taste like? Saffredi 2018 delivers concentrated black cherry, plum, and blackberry wrapped in mocha, licorice, and spicy chocolate, with firm tannins and a long savory finish. It is full-bodied at 15% ABV with notable complexity from cured tobacco, sage, and mineral undertones.

How does Saffredi 2018 compare to Ornellaia 2018? Both are elite Super Tuscan Bordeaux-style blends from coastal Tuscany, and both scored 97 points from James Suckling in the 2018 vintage. Saffredi tends toward slightly riper, more concentrated dark fruit with an earthier, more rustic Maremma character, while Ornellaia from Bolgheri often shows more restrained elegance and a tighter tannic frame.

Is Saffredi 2018 good for cellaring? Yes — the wine's dense structure, firm tannins, and concentrated fruit suggest a drinking window that extends comfortably to the mid-2030s. Wine Spectator's 96-point rating and placement at #8 on their Top 100 of 2022 further underscores its aging potential.

Where is Saffredi made? Saffredi is produced at Fattoria Le Pupille, Elisabetta Geppetti's estate in the Maremma zone of southern coastal Tuscany, Italy. Maremma's warm Mediterranean climate and mineral-rich soils produce a riper, more powerful style of Super Tuscan compared to inland Chianti or northern Bolgheri.

What foods pair well with Saffredi 2018? Bistecca alla Fiorentina or grilled Chianina beef highlights the wine's tannic grip. Braised lamb shank with rosemary echoes its herbal aromatics. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle complements its earthy, savory depth. Aged hard cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano or 36-month Parmigiano-Reggiano match its intensity. Dark chocolate torte with espresso mirrors the mocha and cocoa notes on the finish.

What sizes does Saffredi 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this vintage.

Is Saffredi 2018 worth the price? Saffredi positions as a premium Super Tuscan that consistently competes with Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Solaia — wines that typically command significantly higher prices. With four major critics awarding scores between 96 and 97 points, the 2018 represents strong value within the top tier of Tuscan reds.

Why Saffredi 2018?

The 2018 vintage is a landmark release for Fattoria Le Pupille: it matched or exceeded the scores of Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Solaia across multiple publications while earning the #8 spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2022. That level of critical consensus is rare for any wine, and it reflects how well the warm, generous 2018 growing season suited Maremma's terroir and the Saffredi blend. The wine carries the legacy of Giacomo Tachis's original vision while expressing Elisabetta Geppetti's deep understanding of her estate's vineyards. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a Super Tuscan with genuine pedigree and documented excellence at a more accessible price point than its famous neighbors, Saffredi 2018 is a compelling choice.