On the Road with the Grape Guy
Report from Anteprima Toscana 2026: Valdarno di Sopra Day
03 Sep 2026- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(February 2026) ... Second annual (?) Valdarno Day and this one was better than the first. No long speeches, no seminars that made no sense, just a good old fashion tasting of a lots of wines. What would be even better would be a trip or two to the vineyards and wineries of the area (maybe have a chat with the folks in Montepulciano) - here's hoping next year will be the year.
I tasted all the wines presented - these are the ones that impressed the most.
The usual Good / Better / Best is used here with full tasting notes given on wines that are rated BETTER and above.
BETTER-plus
Il Borro 2021 Polissena - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Raspberry-strawberry, lighter than expected, good acidity, well-structured and well-balance.
Petrolo 2023 Torrione - Toscana IGT Rosso
(Sangiovese / Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon)
Plummy, strawberry, cherry - a little woodsy on the mid-palate to the finish where tannins join the party; but that fruit is generous and delicious.
Tenuta La Corneta 2023 La Corneta Rosso - Toscana IGT Rosso
(Sangiovese / Pinot Nero)
Two grapes that you'd wonder if they go together, but they go do; and very well. Light, easy, refreshing, but fun. Lovely light red fruit is all over this - an all day and all night drinker.
BETTER
Campo del Monte 2024 Il Tardo - Toscana IGT Vendemmia Tardiva
(Trebbiano / Malvasia)
Supposed to be sweet but there is a nice balance here that seems to bring out some grapefruit notes - not often you get such citrus in a sweet wine.
Fattoria Bellosguardo 2023 Posta Reale - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Good acidity with raspberries and cranberry fruit.
Fattoria Fazzuoli 2021 Valdarno di Sopra doc Sangiovese Riserva
(Sangiovese)
Shows good structure, a little spice, a little cedar, abd darker fruits.
Il Borro 2022 Il Borro - Toscana IGT
(Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah)
Dark and brooding, slightly dusty, moody even - takes some time to open but when it does the dark nuances from the start become more prominent and the wood dropsoff. This wine has a great future.
La Salceta 2022 Vigna Ruschieto - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Very 'gentile' and easy, good soft red fruit with a juiciness in the middle.
Migliarina & Montozzi 2020 Castello di Montozzi - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Cabernet Sauvignon)
Good structure, spicy, blackberry, cassis, slightly woody - coffee, mocha, black cherry on the finish.
Petrolo 2022 Boggina C - Val d'Arno di Sopra doc Riserva
(Sangiovese)
There's a bitterness to this with acidity to match - the fruit rides sour cherry and cranberry all the way to the finish.
Petrolo 2023 Galatrona - Val d'Arno di Sopra
(Merlot)
A spicier than expected Merlot with blackberry and cedar fighting it out for dominance; the fruit seems to have the upper hand; that's a good thing.
Podere Il Carnasciale 2022 Il Caberlot - Toscana Rosso
(Caberlot)
Dusty yet drinkable, nicely layered with dark fruit, sublte spice, good acidity - lots going on in here.
Podere Il Carnasciale 2023 Ottantadue - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Light and fresh with cherry, raspberry, and strawberry; fruit forward, bright, and easy.
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Vigna dell'Impero - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Lots of nice fruit, juicy even, cherry notes with hints of strawberry - it's a berry bowl of freshness. The acidity is also on-point and well-integrated.
GOOD-plus
Campo del Monte 2024 Baltea - Valdarno di Sopra doc - Vigna Pini
(Chardonnay)
Cantina Le Pietra 2024 Magnificat - Toscana IGT
(Cabernet Sauvignon)
Ejamu 2024 Tombolo - Toscana IGT Bianco
(Incrocio Manzoni)
Fattoria Bellosguardo 2021 Corridore - Toscana IGT rosso
(Sangiovese / Cabernet Sauvignon)
Fattoria Fazzuoli 2024 "11.5" - Toscana IGT
(Sangiovese + others)
Il Borro 2021 Petruna in Anfora - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Migliarina & Montozzi 2020 Castello di Montozzi - Valdarno di Sopra doc Riserva
(Sangiovese)
Tenuta La Corneta 2024 La Corneta Rosato - Toscana IGT Rosato
(Sangiovese / Syrah)
Tenuta San Jacopo 2021 Orma del Diavolo - Toscana IGT
(Sangiovese / Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon)
Tenuta San Jacopo 2023 Vigna Mulino - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Vigna delle Sanzioni 2023 Vigna delle Sanzioni - Valdarno di Sopra doc Riserva
(Trebbiano)
GOOD
Campo del Monte 2019 Rodos - Valdarno di Sopra doc Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva
(Cabernet Sauvignon)
Campo del Monte 2024 Malvasia Bianca Lunga - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Malvasia Bianca Lunga)
Cantina Le Pietra 2024 Terraia - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Sangiovese)
Fattoria Bellosguardo 2024 Pipillo - Valdarno di Sopra doc Foglia tonda Vigna Bellosguardo
(Foglia Tonda)
Fattoria Fazzuoli 2014 Poggio delle Ginestre - Toscana IGT Rosso
(Sangiovese / Pugnitello)
La Salceta 2025 L'O - Valdarno di Sopra doc
(Orpicchio)
Petrolo 2022 Campo Lusso - Val d'Arno di Sopra
(Cabernet Sauvignon)
Podere Il Carnasciale 2022 Carnasciale Botte Grande+ - Toscana IGT Rosso
(Caberlot)
Tenuta Scrafana 2020 Berulfo - Toscana IGT Rosso
(Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Sangiovese)
Tenuta Scrafana 2022 Gualdrada - Toscana IGT
(Trebbiano)
