Tenuta Belguardo was purchased in the 1990s after the Mazzei family identified the potential for producing quality wines on the estate. In line with their philosophy of innovation, the family implemented an intense re-planting programme, carefully selecting grape varieties and clones. The estate is situated in the Maremma between the hills of Grosseto and Montiano, and within the official Morellino di Scansano viticultural zone. The estate is only 10km from the coast which plays an important role in the microclimate of the vineyards which cover 60 hectares and are planted with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, Vermentino, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and other indigenous varieties.
Vineyards location: 20-50 m (65-165 ft) a.s.l.; S-SW exp.
Soil: Soft and sandy, mainly Sandstone
Training system: Guyot
Nr. of vines per hectare: 6,600
Harvest: Hand picked from August 28th
Fermentation temperature: At low temperature (15°C)
Bottling: February 2022
As for the previous autumn months, 2022 opened with a winter that proved particularly lacking in rainfall, and was characterised by the presence of prolonged periods dominated by high pressure systems, and significant temperature fluctuations without, however, periods of intense cold.
During the months of March / April, there were intermittent rainfalls in the Maremma area, which favoured the regular phenological growth of the vines, followed by a period of great vigour and abundant flowering, which was favoured by the warm and dry climate, and resulted in good fruit-setting.
Summertime temperatures were recorded as early as May, and the summer months were torrid, all of which was accompanied by a lack of rainfall; these conditions, certainly unfavourable in some respects, from a plant-protection point of view resulted in limited pathogenic attacks on the vines, easily managed by appropriate measures in the vineyard.
The dry climate resulted in a moderate growth of the berries, with some water stress localised in the drier areas.
The rainfalls in mid-August were beneficial, substantially re-aligning ripening times, which peaked a few days earlier than the previous year.
The 2022 harvest produced perfectly healthy grapes, with a higher sugar content than the average for recent years. The small berries and the concentration reached during the summer months point to a harvest suited to the production of well-structured, long-aging red wines.
Beginning of the harvest: August 22nd, 2022
End of the harvest: September 28th, 2022
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 449 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.113 °C
Evaluation: Good
This Vermentino in purity reflects the production philosophy of the Marchesi Mazzei. Vermentino is an indigenous grape variety that has its home by the Tyrrhenian sea coast. On the nose the wine displays aromas of yellow plums and white peaches with white blossom notes. Medium bodied, the palate has lovely minerality and refreshing acidity.
Seafood, risotto and pasta with vegetables, fish soups, fish stews and grilled fish, fresh cheese, white meats, grilled vegetables
10-12°C
Falstaff 91 Pts
James Suckling 90 Pts
Maremma, Tuscany
100% Vermentino
Biodegradable Normacorc
13.50%
Yes
Yes
