96 Points | 100% Syrah | 6 Months on Skins in Terracotta Amphora | Only ~2,500 Bottles Produced
Tua Rita 2020 Keir Syrah Toscana IGT – Tuscany, Italy
96 Points – Wine Advocate
96 Points – James Suckling
96 Points – Wine Enthusiast
96 Points – WinesCritic
94 Points – Falstaff
The Tua Rita 2020 Keir Syrah Toscana IGT is one of the most distinctive and limited wines produced by one of Tuscany's great modern estates—a 100% Syrah fermented and macerated on its skins for six months in terracotta amphorae.
Keir represents a fascinating intersection of ancient winemaking and contemporary Tuscany. Rather than relying on oak to define the wine, Tua Rita turned to amphora, an ancient vessel that allows the character of Syrah and the mineral-rich soils of the Tuscan Maremma to take center stage.
It was the first Tua Rita wine produced using amphora, beginning with the 2016 vintage, and production averages just 2,500 bottles.
The result in 2020 is exceptional.
Dark berries, blackberry, blueberry and plum mingle with violets, dried flowers, earth, black pepper and savory Syrah spice. The palate has impressive concentration and textural depth, yet remains remarkably fresh and energetic, framed by fine tannins and a long, mineral and pepper-inflected finish.
With 96-point ratings from both James Suckling and Wine Advocate, the 2020 Keir demonstrates just how compelling Syrah can be in the coastal hills of Tuscany.
96 Points – Wine Advocate
Wine Advocate awarded the 2020 Keir 96 points, emphasizing its tremendous character and depth and the way Syrah thrives at Tua Rita's estate in Suvereto.
The wine was made with Syrah kept in contact with its skins—including some whole clusters—for six months in five amphorae, locally known as orci. The resulting wine shows intense varietal character, combining dark fruit, earth and crushed peppercorn with brightness and freshness.
James Suckling – 96 Points
Suckling found pronounced Syrah character in the wine, combining savory notes with fresh and dried flowers. He praised its perfume, fine tannins and exceptionally long finish, concluding that this was authentic, serious Syrah.
Wine Enthusiast – 96 Points
Wine Enthusiast found a complex combination of blueberries, coffee, black pepper, earth and chocolate-toned berry fruit, all carried by polished tannins.
An Amphora-Crafted Tuscan Syrah
What makes Keir particularly fascinating is the winemaking.
Tua Rita describes Keir as its first production to explore vinification and extended skin contact in amphora—a method whose origins reach deep into the history of wine.
The 100% Syrah spends six months macerating with its skins in terracotta amphorae. The process requires substantial manual work, but it allows Tua Rita to emphasize the natural aromatic and textural qualities of Syrah without overwhelming them with new oak.
After amphora, the wine matures for approximately six months in used French oak barrels, followed by additional bottle aging before release.
The result is simultaneously ancient and modern: a deeply expressive Tuscan Syrah shaped by one of the oldest winemaking vessels in the world.
Tasting Notes
The 2020 Tua Rita Keir displays a deep ruby-purple color and an intensely aromatic personality.
The nose opens with blackberry, blueberry, ripe plum and dark cherry, followed by violets, dried flowers, black pepper and savory herbs. With air, deeper layers of earth, crushed stone, cocoa, clove and subtle meaty Syrah character emerge.
The palate is rich and concentrated without becoming heavy. Dark berry and plum fruit are balanced by bright acidity, fine-grained tannins and an intriguing mineral and earthy character.
Black pepper, graphite, dark chocolate and spice build through the mid-palate before giving way to a long, persistent finish.
What distinguishes Keir is the tension between power and freshness. It has the richness expected of ripe Tuscan Syrah, but the amphora treatment preserves aromatic purity, energy and a fascinating savory dimension.
The Vineyard & Terroir
Keir comes from Tua Rita's estate in the Upper Maremma, within the Colline Metallifere zone near Suvereto on Tuscany's Mediterranean coast.
The vineyard is planted on a south-facing site in soils dominated by clay with a significant proportion of pebbles and mineral material. Tua Rita's technical information lists a very high planting density of approximately 8,900 vines per hectare.
These mineral-rich Tuscan soils have become central to Tua Rita's identity, helping produce wines known for their combination of concentration, savory minerality and freshness.
Winemaking & Aging
Grape: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Toscana Syrah IGT
Production Area: Upper Maremma / Colline Metallifere
Harvest: Hand harvested in 15kg cases
Vinification: Terracotta amphora
Skin Contact: 6 months
Maturation: Approximately 6 months in used French oak barrels
Bottle Aging: Several additional months before release
Average Production: Approximately 2,500 bottles
First Vintage: 2016
Serving Temperature: 59–64°F (15–18°C)
About Tua Rita
Tua Rita was founded in 1984 by Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti near Suvereto in Tuscany.
What began with only two hectares of vines gradually developed into one of the most internationally acclaimed estates of modern Tuscany. Today the estate is particularly celebrated for wines such as Redigaffi, Giusto di Notri, Per Sempre and Keir.
The character of the estate is closely connected to the iron- and mineral-rich soils of the Colline Metallifere. Tua Rita describes a common thread running through its wines: the personality of the earth itself, particularly its ferrous and mineral qualities.
Keir also carries a more personal connection to the estate's history. The late Virgilio Bisti had a particular belief in the potential of Syrah at Tua Rita, and Keir has become one of the clearest demonstrations that he was right.
Food Pairing
The depth, peppery character and freshness of the 2020 Keir make it particularly compelling with:
Grilled ribeye steak, Tuscan bistecca, roasted lamb, braised beef, wild boar ragù, grilled sausages, duck, porcini mushrooms and aged hard cheeses.
Tua Rita specifically recommends grilled ribeye and hard cheeses.
Why You'll Love It
- 96 Points – Wine Advocate
- 96 Points – James Suckling
- 96 Points – Wine Enthusiast
- 100% Syrah from Tuscany
- Tua Rita's first amphora-vinified wine
- Six months of skin contact in terracotta amphora
- Approximately 2,500 bottles produced
- Made by one of Tuscany's most acclaimed modern estates
- A rare alternative for collectors of Super Tuscan wines
- Combines Syrah richness with Tuscan freshness and minerality
