This tasting concludes the first round of my competition to find my favourite red wine (in my price range). I will do a full update next week for all 32 wines.
This was indeed a special tasting to complete the round. Both wine styles could end up being ultimate winners. For the Super Tuscan you can go in many directions but I tried to go as classic as possible- a Bolgheri Bordeaux plus Sangiovese style blend.
As usual results and tasting notes are in the comments.
by rob1001-
3 Comments
Wine 1) 2016 Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore, Bolgheri, Tuscany.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese. Alcohol 14.5%.
Ratings: Parker 96/100, Suckling 97/100, Decanter 97/100, Falsaff 98/100, Vivino 4.3/5. Cost: 89 EUR paid September 2024.
Wine 2) 2016 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, Tuscay.
100% Sangiovese. Alcohol 14.5%.
Ratings: Parker 96/100, Suckling 97/100, Jancis Robinson 17,5/20, Wine Spectator 98/100, Decanter 95/100, Wine Advocate 96/100, Vivino 4.5/5. Cost: 79 EUR paid March 2024.
About the vineyards:
Grattamacco: Located next to the legendary Tenuta San Guido, it was the second vineyard to plant vines in Bolgheri. The location is on a plateau by the coast, 130m above sea level. 29 hectares with 100% biodynamic farming. Sandy soils in the locations closer to the sea, getting more chalk and limestone marl as we move higher up. Hand-picked, 12 months in 500l oak casks, then another 6 months in French casks, though only 1/3 is new.
Montosoli – Another historic vineyard, the first in the region to use barriques, back in 1979. 5 hectares to the North of Montalcino at an altitude of 350-400m. SW exposure, marely limestone and siliceous limestone soils. This is the site of their premium Sangiovese production (and the first “Cru” in Montalcino). 3 years in Slavonian wood barrels, then another 2 years bottle aging.
Tasting: We started with the Brunello, and I was really blown away after the first sips. Red fruits, cherries, almost a creaminess in the palate. Very fresh and floral elements. Tannins were very light and smooth. Secondly the Grattamacco…clearly a much more powerful wine. Strong notes of blackcurrent, darker fruits, plums. Tannins were much stronger, great complexity, balanced out with some acidity. Oak and leather. Over the course of the dinner I found the Super Tuscan improved while the Brunello kept at its initial freshness.
Verdict: I struggled a little with this decision, as did the others at the table. In the end we all independently came down on the side of the Brunello. It was certainly a very special wine with fantastic fruit flavours.
Great wines and great vintages 💯
Altesino is such a great wine.