Grattamacco 1998

A Ripe and Smooth Super Tuscan

The prestigious Grattamacco was first established in 1977 on a hilltop overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the first wine produced in 1982. Grattamacco was one of the first Super Tuscans to change the face of Tuscan viticulture with the revolutionary idea to blend international grape varieties with the Tuscan flagship, Sangiovese. Today, this famous estate produces wines from 14 hectares of vines, growing in a trio of different soil types (silt and red sandy soil, calcareous flysch and sandy calcareous flysch). The vineyard has converted to organic viticulture. Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore is a Super Tuscan wine produced from a vineyard of 10 hectares, at an altitude of 100 metres. After a manual harvest, the fruit is fermented in conical fermentation barrels and then passed through malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats. The wine matures for 18 months in barrique of one or two previous uses and is then aged in bottle for at least 12 months.

The Grattamacco 1999 is composed of a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese. In the glass, this Super Tuscan displays a mature, orange-red colour, having evolved from its original ruby over time. The first nose reveals notes of toasted nuts, followed by beautifully ripe, almost jammy fruit with hints of spice. Despite its age, this wine is still fresh on the palate, having developed silky smooth tannins, which last on a very persistent finish. This is a wine truly worthy of the Bolgheri Superiore title, now ready to drink after 20 years in the bottle.