96+

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2018 Saffredi is a regal, elegant, supremely polished wine. It may very well be the most refined Saffredi I have ever tasted. Silky in its first impression, with striking aromatic presence and exceptional balance, the 2018 is a total knock-out. Sweet red cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and cinnamon accents develop over time, but it is the wine’s overall balance and poise that are so impressive today. The 2018 is an absolutely gorgeous Saffredi. It spent 20 months in French oak barrels, about 65% new. Don’t miss it. 12/2020

93

Monica Larner

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

I liked this vintage a little less than when I first tasted it four years ago. With more bottle age under its belt, the Fattoria le Pupille 2018 Saffredi doesn't have the extreme smoothness that we encounter in the 2019 nor does it have the classic shape (with structure and freshness) that we get in the 2016. There are ripe aromas at the core of this wine with brandied cherry or Amarena cherry, and you feel some of the toasted grain from the oak. The winery team put much attention on the cooperage used in the 2019 and 2020 vintages, focusing on Orion and Taransaud, with wood from the center of France, such as from the forest of Tronçais. They see these as slightly sweeter woods, Elisabetta Geppetti tells me, that match the power of the Cabernet Sauvignon. 05/2024

97

James Sucklin

James Suckling

A fantastic nose to this with currant, sage, rosemary and rose-petal character. Sweet tobacco and spicy chocolate, too. Very complex. The palate shows lovely depth of fruit with blackberries, blackcurrants and fine tannins. It’s racy and refined with a direct, focused palate. Just a baby. A blend of cabernet sauvignon 60%, merlot 32% and petite verdot 8%. This needs at least two or three years to soften. Try in 2023. 07/2020