Saffredi 2016

True to a vintage that will be remembered for excellent quality across Tuscany, the Fattoria le Pupille 2016 Saffredi is one of the standout wines in this retrospective. It is a very strong protagonist among these younger vintages. The wine remains full of life and energy, and there is an especially zesty note that recalls climbing vines or crunchy snow peas with contrasting elements of greenness and sweetness. If 2018 is remembered for ripeness and brandied cherry, and 2017 shows aromas of toasted espresso bean, this 2016 vintage leans into dried flower, peat moss and pastis. Oak is used generously, but not in an overblown manner, to give the wine important structural power and aging runway. The finish is linear and tight.