2017 L'Alberello
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Bolgheri Superiore L’Alberello is gracious, silky and wonderfully nuanced. In 2017, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is all class. Crushed rose petal, mint, sweet red berry and cinnamon all grace this mid-weight, beautifully perfumed Bolgheri red. This is an especially bright, lifted wine for the year.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
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The 2017 Bolgheri Superiore l'Alberello shows a fine and seamless nature that defies this challenging vintage. This is a blend of organic 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot aged in oak for a standard 18 months. The vines are planted according to a special spacing method called "settonce" in Italian. This means that each alberello plant (or head pruned vine) is equidistant to the next. In theory, this brings more light and favors even ripening. Indeed, "even" is the word that first comes to mind. The intensity and the dark fruit aromas are nicely spaced out and level. However, the tannins are extra tight, showing the phenolic ripeness of the hot and dry vintage.
About the producer
Grattamacco’s story begins when Piermario Meletti Cavallari purchased an abandoned vineyard in 1977 and grafted over many of the vines. He produced one of the earliest Super Tuscans in 1982 – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese and a wine which continues to earn acclaim today.