Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2021

Three Glasses Gambero Rosso: "Despite early challenges, the 2021 harvest proved to be one of the most generous in recent years. Through a continued pursuit of a "pure" and "uncontaminated" style, the Bolgheri Superiore 2021 offers a beautiful portrait of the high hills of Grattamacco."

97 points James Suckling: "This is at a different level, with blackcurrants, blueberries and Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary and sage. Also tobacco and coffee bean. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a persistent finish. Sophisticated and thought-provoking. A new quality level with this wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sangiovese. Give this three to five years. (8/12/24)"

96 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$145 list] Blueberry, black currant and pomegranate flavors are accented by oak spice, graphite and rosemary notes in this fresh, long red. Taut and vibrant, with terrific balance and a fine-grained band of tannins lining the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2026 through 2043. (8/31/24)"

96 points James Button (Decanter): "As in 2009 and 2016, Grattamacco was made using the ‘Piemontese method’ in 2021, according to chief winemaker, Luca Marrone. This entails topping up the tanks during an extended post-fermentation maceration with wine from another vinification, such as a different plot or even a different grape variety. ‘It's risky, you can have spoilage,’ he admits. But the benefit is that there is more perceived roundness and body to the wine. The result in 2021 is superb, with bramble fruit fragrance and a dense, spicy palate of black and blue berries, silky tannins and sous bois complexity. The wonderful juicy softness of the fruit is energised by minty-fresh acidity, a spicy kick and a sapid, almost ferrous finish. Drinking Window: 2025-2029. (Aug 2024)"

96 points Falstaff: "Bright ruby red. Expressive, sweet-fruity bouquet of cassis and blackberry, with notes of ebony, tobacco leaf, cocoa and fumé, complex. Spans the palate like a silk scarf, with precise fruit and fine-grained tannins, juicy and with gentle pressure right into the long finish. (9/6/24)"

18/20 points Jancis Robinson: "The usual blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese. The current vintage, released May 2024, was initially challenging. After a winter with normal rainfall, budbreak arrived rather early; the first part of spring brought no rain. The night of 8 April experienced an abrupt drop in temperatures and a freeze on the Bolgheri plain, but with minimal damage to the Grattamacco vineyards. Rains from mid April through mid May established continuously wet conditions during that period, but summer was dry and fairly hot. To keep the clusters shaded during the hot days, leaf-pulling was not performed, and during July emergency irrigation was applied in all the Grattamacco vineyards, with the exception of Casa Vecchia. Harvest started early, on 25 August. Two harvesting passes were often required in order to pick grapes at peak ripeness. Fine weather in the first half of September and rains on the 19th brought the remaining grapes to a finely balanced ripeness. Harvest concluded on 28 September. Pressing-off of the new wine proceeded rapidly, following maceration on the skins lasting two weeks at most. The exceptions were the last-harvested lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, which macerated longer, with the additional application of two Piemontesinas, the last pressed on 24 November. Crop levels for the year were average. Aged 18 months in small oak barrels. Bottled in August 2023. Mid to dark crimson. Very complete and with a little less obvious tannin than the 2016. Already very approachable and well balanced with a chalky texture on the end. Really charming with a little light inkiness. Long, and fresher than 2016. Drink 2024-2040 (Jul 2024)"