L'Alberello 2022 – Colle Massari

L'Alberello 2022 – Colle Massari

L'Alberello is the single-vineyard wine of Podere Grattamacco, the historic Bolgheri estate founded in 1977 and part of the Tipa family's ColleMassari group since 2002. The name tells its story: it comes from a high-density vineyard trained as bush vines (alberello), a rare choice for Bordeaux varieties on the Tuscan coast, on two hectares converted to this system in 2004.

The vineyard sits on a hilltop between Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri, at around 100 metres, on limestone-rich clay loam, and is farmed organically. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in open, truncated-cone wooden vats; the wine then ages for 18 months in barriques before further bottle ageing.

The 2022 shows a rich bouquet of ripe fruit, spice and light toasted notes, and is elegant and relaxed on the palate. Serve at 18-20 °C with grilled meats, game, mushroom risotto and aged cheeses.

At a glance: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Cabernet Franc 25%, Petit Verdot 5% · 14.5% ABV · 0.75 l · Colle Massari, Bolgheri