Wine Advisor
Grattamacco, Bolgheri Superiore 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A dark and complex wine not without grace. On the nose it shows restrained cassis, kiwis, anise, oak bark, cloves and a light touch of leaves. Full-bodied on the palate, with density, fine-grained tannins and crisp, exuberant acidity. Long, balanced, savory, slightly austere finish. Enjoyable for a kind of elegant lightness. It will be released in October 2025. Drinkable then, but best from 2026.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The organic Grattamacco 2022 Bolgheri Superiore Grattamacco commemorates the estate’s 40th anniversary (1982–2022) with a special label. The wine is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese. Rich and generous, the wine delivers a creamy texture with notable depth and concentration. While the hot 2022 vintage contributes an extra note of sweetness and ripeness, the balance holds firm thanks to the wine’s structure and the season’s naturally thicker-skinned fruit, which resulted in a bolder tannic profile. This anniversary release totals 60,000 bottles.
About the Producer
Grattamacco founded in 1977, the Estate lies in a protected area on one of Bolgheri’s only two hills, a location famous for its ancient history, and the particular soil here is of utmost importance. Grattamacco is part of the ColleMassari group since 2002. In Bolgheri, Grattamacco’s signature style of elegance over power is obtained from the inclusion of a small percentage of Sangiovese in the blend, together with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, all grown at a relatively high altitude of 100 to 200 meters above sea level. A single vineyard was planted in 2004, located on the plain with a terroir mix of silt and red sandy soils. The estate is situated in a protected spot on the hills of Bolgheri facing the sea at an altitude of 100 to 200 meters above sea level. The Estate was the first to plant Vermentino in Bolgheri with the oldest vineyard from 1986 and still fully in production. Today, the Grattamacco estate counts 80 hectares, 29 of which are vineyards, 4 of which are olive groves, surrounded by a vast woodland that moderates the Tyrrhenian sea’s winds, for a drying effect that allows the estate to work sustainably. Red wines grape varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot White wines grape varieties: 100% Vermentino A traditional winemaking approach from low-yield sustainable vineyards. All grapes are hand-harvested and then spontaneously fermented in conical open oak vats of 7hl or stainless steel tanks depending on the wine, with very long macerations. All wines are aged in French oak barriques, from new to second passage.
