Central Tuscany 2003 and 2004: A Tale of Two Vintages


by Antonio Galloni

Readers are sure to enjoy exploring new releases from the 2003 and 2004 vintages in Central Tuscany. Although they could not be more different in terms of their personalities, 2003 and 2004 have yielded a large number of exciting wines. In 2003 Tuscany, like the rest of Europe, suffered through a heat wave the likes of which was virtually unprecedented. The effects of the scorching heat were exacerbated by near drought-like conditions. Over the last few years, however, producers have learned to better cope with such weather, meaning that the vintage has yielded some gems even if overall quality is irregular. Vintage 2004 saw much more favorable weather conditions, although it too presented growers with a few challenges. Those who were diligent, especially with regards to yields, have turned out spectacular wines. Simply put, 2004 is a superb vintage in Central Tuscany. I had an enormous amount of fun tasting through the region’s wines and imagining how they might develop over time. While most of the wines in this report come from in and around the Chianti Classico region I also include notes on a handful of recent releases from Maremma. Readers seeking more information on the wines of that region will find a comprehensive look at the wines in Issue 169. Brunello di Montalcino will be covered in a forthcoming article.