2018 Bolgheri Superiore
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Tasting notes
Moving to the 2018 Grattamacco, this vintage is more classic in its expression and marked with finesse. While the summer was quite hot, it cooled at the end of August, with 60 mm of rain and an abrupt cold snap that slowed maturity, so they had to be quite patient waiting for the grapes to get ripe. The Sangiovese is very important in this vintage for its acidity. In the glass, it pours an almost identical, perhaps slightly more youthful red brick color, and it’s fresh and pretty on the nose, with a detailed perfume of fresh herbs, flowers, cherries, and redcurrants. The palate is refreshing and more vertical but not lacking ripeness, with fine tannins and a spine of refreshing acidity. Its characteristic saltiness frames the wine as it floats off the palate, with a mintiness on the backplate. I personally would be thrilled to drink this wine over the coming 15 or more years.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Certified organic by ICEA. Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Perfumed cherry and cassis with a subtle note of cigar box. Polished fruit with gravelly tannins; skilfully oaked. Succulent and perhaps lacking a touch in concentration but, for that, you get elegance and freshness. Very attractive right now. (WS)
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese. 18 months in oak, combination of barrique and tonneaux. The Cabernet is the dominant force on the nose with pure blackcurrant fruit. Cedar spice too. Ripe and generous on the palate, seems to share DNA with both Napa and Bordeaux, all with Tuscan styling giving that distinctive bitter character. Long, fragrant and refined, with beautifully resolved tannins. Really gratifying, appetising savoury finish: liquorice and graphite. Excellent. (RH)
The 2018 Grattamacco is the most elegant, refined and satisfying wine I have ever tasted from Grattamacco. There is a level of finesse here that is simply unreal. Bright and translucent, with tons of detail, the 2018 oozes with pedigree. Lavender, spice, mint, tobacco and dried flowers add an attractive upper register.
About the producer
Grattamacco’s story begins when Piermario Meletti Cavallari purchased an abandoned vineyard in 1977 and grafted over many of the vines. He produced one of the earliest Super Tuscans in 1982 – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese and a wine which continues to earn acclaim today.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese
Red
Dry