Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2018

Founded in 1977, and acquired by the Tipa Bertarelli Family in 2002, Grattamacco was one of first the two wineries in Bolgheri. A region typically known for Cabernet and Merlot, Grattamacco sets itself apart from surrounding wineries with its winemaking practices using 15% Sangiovese to impart quality and elegance in its wines. Grattamacco was the first winery in Bolgheri to use Sangiovese because of its high altitude despite its proximity to the coast.

This move may have seemed risky at the time, but the results are impossible to argue. The wines of Grattamacco are now mentioned in the same sentence as Ornellaia and Sassacaia – and a lot of the things I read, people prefer Grattamacco’s wines (at least in their youth). They are extraordinary examples of what the SuperTuscan category can bring.

In the 2018 vintage, the Superiore was a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese. Unsurprisingly, this beautiful wine is accompanied by two separate 96-point scores from two major publications, just to give you a sense of what you’re working with. It’s an aromatic and powerful blend with with notes of small, fully ripe red fruits, accompanied Mediterranean spices and minerality. It displays a remarkable freshness – and is refined and well balanced with fine and enveloping tannins. All of this indicates that this beauty has a long life ahead.