About this wine
Castello del Terriccio's flagship Super Tuscan, first produced in the legendary 1993 vintage. Lupicaia is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend with Petit Verdot (and historically small amounts of Merlot in older vintages), grown just north of the Bolgheri DOC zone but bottled as Toscana IGT. Since its debut it has been one of Italy's most consistently decorated reds, earning Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso across multiple vintages and top scores from international critics (96 points, James Suckling 2020; 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck 2007). The wine shows deep, layered aromas of blackberry, cassis, cedar, and spice, with a long, structured finish built for extended cellaring.
A benchmark Super Tuscan — powerful and polished, this is what happens when Bordeaux varieties meet Tuscan sun.
Sommelier's Note
"Lupicaia is the wine that proved Cabernet Sauvignon could rival Bordeaux from Tuscan soil — structured, opulent, and built to age for decades."
Food Pairings
Ideal with grilled or roasted red meats, aged bistecca alla fiorentina, game, and hard aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano.
When to drink it
Milestone celebrations, formal dinners, fine dining with red meat, long-term cellar collecting
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14%
- Price Range
- $150-220
Terroir & Winemaking
Blend is roughly 85-90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5-10% Petit Verdot (Merlot was sometimes included through the 2009 vintage). Each variety is fermented and aged separately in French Allier oak barriques (225L) and larger tonneaux (500L) for about 18-22 months before final blending, followed by further bottle aging prior to release. Best enjoyed after decanting; has significant cellaring potential of 15-25+ years from vintage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Lupicaia different from other Super Tuscans?
- Lupicaia is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (with Petit Verdot) grown on vineyards just outside the Bolgheri DOC boundary, giving it structure and dark-fruit intensity comparable to top Bolgheri estates while being labeled as Toscana IGT.
- How long can Lupicaia be cellared?
- Thanks to its concentrated fruit and firm tannic structure, Lupicaia can typically be cellared for 15-25 years or more from the vintage date, with many older vintages still drinking beautifully.
- Should Lupicaia be decanted before serving?
- Yes, decanting for 1-2 hours is recommended for younger vintages to soften the tannins and let the aromatics of blackberry, cedar, and spice fully open up.
- What food pairs best with Lupicaia?
- Rich red meats such as grilled bistecca alla fiorentina, roasted lamb, or aged hard cheeses are classic pairings that stand up to the wine's structure and intensity.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
カステッロ・デル・テリッチョ（ロッソ）
Castello del Terriccio
RedSyrah · Petit Verdot
The estate's eponymous 'grand vin', first released with the 2000 vintage and immediately established as the property's second flagship alongside Lupicaia. Unlike the Cabernet-based Lupicaia, this wine is built around Syrah with a supporting portion of Petit Verdot, a distinctive choice that sets it apart from most Bolgheri-area Super Tuscans. Hand-harvested only in the second half of September, it ferments at 30°C for around 18 days before 22 months of barrique aging. It won Tre Bicchieri from its very first vintage and has been awarded Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
コン・ヴェント
Con Vento
WhiteViognier · Sauvignon Blanc
Con Vento ('with wind' in Italian) is the estate's sole white wine, named after vineyards planted on a hilltop exposed to Mediterranean breezes at around 100 meters altitude. A blend of roughly 60% Viognier and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes are hand-harvested with careful bunch selection, briefly cryomacerated, then fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel with regular lees-stirring for added texture. The result is an aromatic, mineral-driven white with notes of white flowers, dried apricot, ripe peach, and a saline, citrus-tinged finish.
ジャン・アンニバーレ
Gian Annibale
RedPetit Verdot · Cabernet Sauvignon
Launched with the 2018 vintage, Gian Annibale is a tribute wine created by Vittorio Piozzo di Rosignano Rossi di Medelana in honor of his uncle Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana, the man who inherited the estate in 1975 and built its modern reputation for world-class Super Tuscans despite a paralyzing accident in 1979. An extremely limited bottling — only around 3,668 bottles plus 500 magnums in its debut vintage — it is a Petit Verdot-forward blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in French oak, representing the pinnacle of the estate's red wine production alongside Lupicaia.
タッシナイア
Tassinaia
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Sangiovese
First produced in 1992, Tassinaia takes its name from a hillside farmhouse on the estate whose stony soils (rich in round river stones) give the wine its distinctive minerality. It is a Bordeaux-style blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in near-equal proportions, with some vintages incorporating a portion of Sangiovese for added freshness. Tassinaia is the estate's more approachable, mid-tier red — elegant, fruit-forward, and ready to drink sooner than Lupicaia, while still showing real depth and ageing potential.