Bill Cooper & Friends, A Taste of Bolgheri! August 7th

 

 

1-Tenuta Argentiera 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
Wine Advocate 97 Rating
What a beauty and what an incredible leap forward to excellence. The Tenuta Argentiera 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera shows depth and wide shoulders with soft plushness and impeccable fruit. The full-bodied wine is dialed up on all levels from perfumes, intensity, mouthfeel, texture and freshness. This bottle should hold past the 20-year mark.

 

2-Grattamacco 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating
Reserved layers and depth slowly begin to emerge from the 2019 Grattamacco, so it is going to need time in cellar to open and show itself. As it opens in the glass, it reveals attractive dark mineral earth, kirsch, black pepper spice, and balsamic. It is concentrated and compact at this stage, with savory richness, and it displays full and balanced structure, ripe and present tannins, and notes of cassis, cedar, and pine resin. It reveals rich complexity without ever feeling murky, and its energetic tension takes this wine to the next level. Drink 2025-2050.

 

3-Guado al Tasso 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
Wine Advocate 96 Rating
The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

 

4-Ornellaia 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
Wine Spectator 98 Rating
An intense red, defined by lively acidity and framed by dense, ripe tannins that showcase its black currant, blackberry, violet and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Iron and wild herb accents emerge as this plays out on the finish. Though expressive at this stage, this youthful version will benefit from time in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2046.

 

5-Poggio al Tesoro 2021 Sondraia Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
James Suckling 97 Rating
Aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries with fresh sage and thyme, following through to a medium to full body with very polished tannins and cedar and sandalwood undertones. Some lavender and rose petals, too. Refined and polished. Needs three to four years to come together, but already beautiful. Drink after 2028, but hard not to taste now.

 

6-I Greppi 2022 Greppicaia Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Rating
A highly luxurious style, the 2022 Greppicaia pours a dark purple/red color and is very pronounced and saturated with layered oak spice, toasted vanilla, cedar, boysenberry, plum, cigar box, and polished leather. While the oak is quite forward, this is a wine of high quality, with a bright spine of ripe acidity to balance it out and a full-bodied, broad-shouldered and well-defined, ripe texture that doesn’t feel weighted. It has a very long, salty finish with bright redcurrant fruit lasting long on the palate. I can’t help but be impressed here, although it’s going to need several years in a cellar and is built for the long haul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions? Text me at 941-404-9685