2022 Grattamacco, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy

Looking to the upcoming release, the 2022 Grattamacco pours a more youthful red/purple hue and opens to a more blue-fruited nature at this early stage, with sweetly perfumed aromas of blackberry, violet candies, pressed sage, and fresh earth. The palate is gorgeous and full, with velvety tannins, a youthful plushness of fruit, and its characteristic savory elements highlighting the wine with a long, balanced finish. It’s a very even wine but does show the stress of a hot year with late rains. It feels like the duck on water – graceful and peaceful above water, while underneath it has the structure to go the distance. It’s reminiscent of the 2012, although it seems to have more cushion.

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.

The estate's 40th anniversary vintage, this 2022 leads with minty red and black berry aromas. Fleshy, sapid and saline, it has a very fresh and vertical profile but is just a little bit drying on the finish at this stage. Floral overtones mingle with pepper and herbs, while tangy red forest berries are supported by silky and integrated tannins. Tight and energetic.