“Tenuta Belguardo” Rosso Maremma Toscana Riserva DOC 2021

Tenuta Belguardo | Mazzei | Tuscany
Belguardo S.r.l. Agr. | Loc. Montebottigli | VIII° Zona | IT 58100 Grosseto

09522421 · 0,75 l · 52,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

In 1398, Ser Lapo Mazzei wrote a letter in which the word "Chianti" was used for the first time in the modern sense of wine. It is the oldest document of its kind. The family who wrote this letter still makes wine today – they have been doing so for more than 600 years, now in their seventeenth generation. When a family dynasty with such a long history arrived in the Maremma in 1997 and decided to produce its flagship wine on the sandy soils between Grosseto and Montiano, it was a testament to their faith in that terroir. The philosophy is clearly articulated: Tenuta Belguardo is released only in the finest vintages. No compromises. Since the first vintage in 2000, this approach has defined the positioning of the cru: not quantity, but character. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon from plots with the highest proportion of sandstone and skeletal material, which demand of the Cabernet that balance between natural power and elegance that would not emerge in this way on heavier soil. 15% Cabernet Franc acts as the perfect counterpoint: structuring, herbaceous, and characterised by freshness even in hot vintages.

2021 began with a promise that was almost broken. April frosts on the 7th and 8th damaged the already well-developed buds and reduced the harvest. The height of summer once again put the vineyards to the test. Then, on 24 August, 28 millimetres of rain fell, restoring the daily temperature fluctuations and enabling a steady, final ripening phase. The grapes arrived at the winery in excellent condition – concentrated and rich in polyphenols. They spent 18 months in small French oak barrels, 70% of which were new, followed by four months of finishing in concrete tanks.

A deep, luminous ruby red. On the nose, dark spices, ripe dark fruit, graphite, cedar and a hint of Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and seductive on the palate, supported by long, enveloping tannins, with a final that seems to go on forever. Storage potential of over 20 years. A Bordeaux cru with the soul of the Maremma. SUPERIORE.DE

"An impenetrable ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose, redcurrant and tobacco, along with a hint of cedar. Concentrated and powerful on the palate, with a robust tannic structure, refreshing acidity and a long, spicy finish." Falstaff

"A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which the Mazzei family ages in wood for 18 months: an enticing nose of forest fruits, floral notes and subtle spice; a refined development leading to an opulent yet elegant finish." Vinum

"A complex wine that reveals bright red cherries and plums alongside spicy notes such as graphite and vanilla. Medium-bodied. Crisp and chewy with velvety, fruit-soaked tannins; spicy and refined." James Suckling

"A taut, focused red, revealing black currant, blackberry, cedar, iron, tobacco and black tea aromas and flavors. Dense and solidly built, this pushes through with its long aftertaste, but the tannins beg for food. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Maremma Toscana Rosso Riserva Tenuta Belguardo is beautifully structured and displays a lovely intensity and vertical lift that are characteristic of the vintage. The wine offers aromas of sweet fruit, stewed cherries and baking spices. One can sense some of the warmth and softness of the vintage." Wine Advocate

"The nose is well-balanced, with fruity aromas of pomegranate and black plum, as well as spicy notes of topsoil, graphite and coffee. On the palate, blackberries, plums and figs take centre stage, but there is also a strong, lingering earthiness, until a fresh breath of mint sweeps across the finish. The tannins are almost slippery, yet powerful, like a creature from the depths." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2021 Tenuta Belguardo is one of the most refined wines I have tasted from Mazzei's Maremma estate. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, espresso, dried herbs, new leather and incense take shape in the glass. This is a contemporary expression of the Maremma, a wine that is more about freshness and energy than the opulence that once characterised these wines." Vinous