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: 70-130 m (230-426 ft) a.s.l.; S-SW exp.
Soil: Sandy, with some pebbles derivating mainly from sandstone disintegration
Vineyards age: 14 – 19 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training
Nr. of vines per hectare: 6,600
Harvest: Hand picked from September 3rd
Fermentation temperature: 28 – 30° C
Period of maceration: 16 days
Ageing: 12 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt)
Finissage: 4 months in concrete tanks
Bottling: September 2021
Available on the market: May 2022
Production: 27,500 bottles
The Maremman winter saw temperatures which were slightly above the norm, whereas rainfall was below average. These conditions continued through March and April, slightly slowing plant development in the early stages. The situation changed dramatically later, with one of the rainiest Mays in years. Lower temperatures together with short but heavy rainstorms slowed vine growth down still further.
June and July turned hot, with temperatures well above seasonal averages, rising to 35-36°C (95-97F) for 7-10 consecutive days. No harm was done to the grapes however: by harvest time they were in excellent condition thanks to carefully-gauged production techniques and approaches. This combination of climatic and meteorological events resulted in a harvest which took place at the canonical time of year, unlike previous years when the harvest had been earlier. A large diurnal temperature range over the harvest period allowed grape bunches to grow and mature gradually, leading to optimal development of aromas and wines of extremely high quality.
Beginning of the harvest: September 5th
End of the harvest: October 10th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 376 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3909 °C
Evaluation: Outstanding
Intense, elegant and vibrant, the wine shows blackcurrant notes and a herbal character, with a fresh and savory finish.
Pasta with game sauce, white meat stews, baked vegetables.
Serve at 14°C.
James Suckling 91 pts
Falstaff 92 pts
Maremma Toscana DOC
70% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Alicante (Grenache)
Natural Cork
14%
5.4%
