Until the mid-1980s, there were for a while just two wineries plugging away along the stunning Tuscan coast. Tired of archaic restrictions in the Chianti zone that had dominated the first half of the twentieth century, the decades of the 1970s and 1980s brought with them a pioneering spirit that would see producers walk away from the tried-and-tested, and set out experimenting in new areas with new grape varieties, firm in the belief that Tuscany had all the necessary conditions to produce world-beating wines. Inspired by the inaugural Sassicaia 1968, which was released in 1971, Grattamacco set up shop in 1977 with the same objective; to produce new and exciting wines. They had spent years searching for the vineyards to meet this ambition, finally discovering an inland site at an altitude of between 100-150m (unusually high for Bolgheri), which would provide a uniquely dry and windy micro-climate with evident potential from the start.
Today, with 14 hectares of vineyards facing the sea, regular air-flow and cooling breezes enable fully organic viticulture. More importantly though, their unique micro-climate also allows the notoriously sensitive Sangiovese grape to ripen successfully. As a nod to the past, and with respect for its cultural significance and intrinsic characteristics, the inclusion of 15% Sangiovese in the Grand Vin makes Grattamacco Superiore one of the very few “Super Tuscans” to offer urbane, sensual Cabernet-Merlot textures and deep, luscious fruit, delivered with an authentic Italian accent. With verve and freshness in its veins, Grattamacco has become one of the most celebrated wines in Tuscany, boasting a proven track record of ageing beautifully and forty years’ experience of overcoming challenges in the vineyard. We are delighted to offer the 2014 today - a wine that flouts any preconceptions about the vintage - and will provide first-class drinking opportunities over the next ten years or more.
Read More“Here is another one of those vintage-defying wines to emerge from a very challenging growing season with lots of rain and below average temperatures. The 2014 Bolgheri Superiore Grattamacco benefits from extreme fruit selection and careful management in the winery. This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese from one of the most celebrated estates on the Tuscan Coast. The bouquet is full and generous. It peels back with thick intensity revealing luscious tones of blackberry fruit with spice, leather and tobacco. There is structural firmness here but the tannins are well integrated within the fleshiness of the wine.” 93 points, Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate