In the glass
Aroma: blackcurrant, graphite, sweet cedar, violet
Palate: dark plum, espresso, iron, polished oak
One of the original Super Tuscans, Bordeaux-blended with a slice of the indigenous Pugnitello variety.
What it pairs with
-
Rib of beef, dry-aged
Find rib of beef, dry-aged on TableJourney →
Cabernet weight finds dry-aged beef umami. -
Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey
Sweet truffle honey amplifies the wine's cedar. -
Beef short rib in red wine
Bordeaux-blend structure handles braised short rib.
How to serve San Felice Vigorello
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rib of beef, dry-aged, Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey, Beef short rib in red wine. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Vigorello was first released in 1968, often cited as the first Super Tuscan. Originally a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend, now a Bordeaux-grape-plus-Pugnitello composition. Toscana IGT.
- 1968 — First vintage of Vigorello, often called the first Super Tuscan
Facts
- Producer
- San Felice
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (30%), Pugnitello (20%), Petit Verdot (10%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- 24 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 55 to 85 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1968
Scores
- Wine Advocate 95 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
- Vinous 94 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about San Felice Vigorello
What does San Felice Vigorello taste like?
On the nose, blackcurrant, graphite, sweet cedar, violet. On the palate, dark plum, espresso, iron, polished oak. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of the original Super Tuscans, Bordeaux-blended with a slice of the indigenous Pugnitello variety.
When should I drink San Felice Vigorello?
Drink 5 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with San Felice Vigorello?
Rib of beef, dry-aged is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey and Beef short rib in red wine. Cabernet weight finds dry-aged beef umami.
What grapes are in San Felice Vigorello?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (30%), Pugnitello (20%), Petit Verdot (10%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.