2008 Tuscany Vintage

According to Decanter's vintage guide, a typical winter in Tuscany preceded copious spring rains, bringing mildew. Budburst was disrupted, and cool temperatures delayed flowering and fruit-set and caused millerandage (marred berry development), among Sangiovese in particular; Decanter says the dry coastal regions of Bolgheri and Maremma were less affected. A hot, dry late June mostly boosted progress, though in Bolgheri growers feared for younger Merlot vines in drought-like conditions. In mid-August, Decanter reports, 60mph winds, hail and near-freezing temperatures ruined up to 20% of the Montalcino crop, and more hail peppered Chianti a few weeks later. Mostly, early September rains refreshed the vines ahead of what Decanter calls a perfect Indian summer. The coast picked first: Chardonnay and Pinot in Maremma in late August and Merlot in Bolgheri from early September. Inland, the first Sangiovese for Morellino di Scansano came in mid-September, with Chianti, Montalcino and other regions following days later, and the harvest ended in late October. Decanter adds that vineyards muddied by spring rain hindered vital spraying and sorting, depressing yield, though the harvested grapes were very healthy.

• Spring: copious rain, mildew, disrupted budburst, delayed flowering and fruit-set, and millerandage in Sangiovese (Decanter)
• Late June: hot and dry; Bolgheri growers feared for younger Merlot vines in drought-like conditions (Decanter)
• Mid-August: 60mph winds, hail and near-freezing temperatures ruined up to 20% of the Montalcino crop; more hail hit Chianti a few weeks later (Decanter)
• Harvest: Maremma from late August, Bolgheri Merlot from early September, inland Sangiovese from mid-September, ending in late October (Decanter)

Decanter reports that Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, the Sangiovese stars, enjoyed equal footing in 2008, with fine, silky tannins, abundant fruitiness and stimulating aromas. It found Morellino di Scansano from the Maremma slightly racier and fresher, while Vino Nobile di Montepulciano growers hinted at firmly built wines with intense aromas. In Bolgheri, Decanter describes Merlot with pure fruit flavours and aromatics, and says the Cabernet for Sassicaia was softer than normal. Among whites, it calls the best Vernaccia di San Gimignano typically fresh, ripe and direct with minerally acidity, with a danger of overripeness.

• Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino: equal footing, with fine, silky tannins and abundant fruitiness (Decanter)
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: growers hinted at firmly built wines with intense aromas (Decanter)
• Morellino di Scansano: a slightly racier, fresher dimension (Decanter)
• Bolgheri: Merlot with pure fruit and aromatics; the Cabernet for Sassicaia softer than normal (Decanter)

Decanter rates Tuscany 2008 at 4/5 and calls it a very good vintage for later-ripening varietals, Sangiovese in particular, with ripe, expressive wines that are lighter structured than the previous year. It credits the balmy September and October, especially away from the hotter coast, with letting grapes hang longer for optimum sugar. In its view Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon did well, with structure lighter and more elegant than other recent vintages; ripeness rather elbowed acidity, and the wines would likely show better while youthful brightness remained. The guide, last updated in 2018, carries a 'Drink soon' note.

• Decanter rating: 4/5, very good for later-ripening varietals, Sangiovese in particular
• Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon did well, with structure lighter and more elegant than other recent vintages (Decanter)
• Ripeness rather elbowed acidity; Decanter expected the wines to show better while youthful brightness remained
• Decanter's drinking note: 'Drink soon'