2013 Petra Potenti Toscana IGT Italy 750 ml

“Reliably Outstanding” Super Tuscan

Antonio Galloni called Vittorio Moretti’s Super Tuscan Petra “one of my favorite properties for intense, flavorful wines from the Suvereto district in Maremma.” He also says, “year after year the wines are reliably outstanding.” Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2013 Potenti is indeed outstanding. Few Tuscan wines deliver this much personality, richness, and depth for under $40. Rated 93 points by both Wine Spectator and James Suckling — Wine Spectator called it “vibrant and harmonious,” while Suckling offered “rich and decadent” — the 2013 Potenti is classic Cabernet Sauvignon kissed with Tuscan warmth. At the best price in the nation — $34.99 — this is the kind of Cabernet theft that only rewards.

Petra owner Vittorio Moretti is the Italian equivalent of a cavalier Robert Mondavi. Moretti did not grow up in the wine business, but after a successful career construction, amassing an empire of hotels and spas, Moretti took a step back and went to France to study winemaking. A visionary, he came back to Italy and created superstars wineries in entire categories where “world class” was rarely mentioned. He changed all that.  

First, Moretti elevated the Italian sparkling wines of Franciacorta with his strict adherence to making wine just like they do in Champagne. Today, his Bellavista and Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta houses are considered among the pinnacle of producers. So, when Moretti looked to the Tuscan Maremma to try his hand at Cabernet Sauvignon — he did it with the same panache, energy and passion that Mondavi poured into Opus One. Born of that zealous drive was Petra — a true Tuscan marvel.

At Petra, history and modernity are married under turquoise Tuscan skies. One look at the state-of-the-art winery (inspired by “stone in motion”) built by architect Mario Botta, and the philosophy here becomes apparent. Moretti’s deep reverence for the natural expression of the earth and its convergence with humanity takes shape for him, in the form of his bottled wine — and in this 2013 Petra Potenti Toscana.

Like the sunbathed landscape of Maremma’s Suvereto district, the 2013 Potenti is bold and vibrant, yet retains juicy acidity and freshness, and shows secondary flavors of Mediterranean herbs, clove, and crushed-rock minerality.

This is some of the finest Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon on the market for under $35.