Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2021
Grattamacco is a pioneer of Italy’s Bolgheri region, a small wine-growing area in Tuscany’s Maremma province, famous for its ‘Super Tuscan’ wines. Established in 1977, Grattamacco was the second winery in the area, right after the legendary Sassicaia.
But Grattamacco didn’t just follow in Sassicaia’s footsteps; it blazed its own trail. This winery was the first to vinify Bolgheri Rosso, champion Vermentino, and celebrate high-altitude vineyards. It also keeps Tuscan traditions alive by adding Sangiovese to the blends, a rarity in a region dominated by international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The 2021 is a great example of blending global and local, combining 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 15% Sangiovese. The grapes thrive in Grattamacco’s terroir of high-altitude vineyards with ancient marine soils rich in quartz, white clay, and calcareous marl. The result is a Bolgheri Superiore wine infused with elegant minerality and unmistakable Tuscan character.
Since the ’90s, Grattamacco has farmed organically in its 34 hectares, producing wines that let the land speak. This “bare”winemaking style, paired with the coastal influence and hands-on care, results in pure, vibrant, and unforgettable wines.
The 2021 Bolgheri Superiore is a showstopper (around $120 retail). Aged for 18 months in small oak barrels, it’s bold and structured with finely integrated tannins. You’ll find luscious black cherry, blackcurrant, and blueberry notes accented by herbal hints of rosemary and sage, plus layers of tobacco and coffee beans. It’s medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, and the finish seems never-ending.
At a recent lunch
This Article was originally published on The Wine Chef
