GRATTAMACCO
THE WINE IS PRODUCED FROM VINEYARDS LOCATED BETWEEN 100 AND 200 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE SOIL IS CHARACTERIZED BY SANDY QUARTZ AND WHITE CLAYS MIXED WITH MARLY LIMESTONE FLYSCH. WINEGROWING PRACTICES ARE BASED ON METHODS AND PRINCIPLES THAT ARE TOTALLY RESPECTFUL OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THUS ALLOWING FOR SPONTANEOUS PRODUCTIVE BALANCE WITH LOW YIELDS PER HECTARE. GRAPES ARE HAND-PICKED AND CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM VINEYARDS WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 25 YEARS, AMONG THE OLDEST IN THE APPELLATION.
Vinification takes place in small open oak vats, with delicate manual punching-down and a slow release of only noble tannins. The wine ages for at least 18 months in barriques. The saline terroir and the artisanal approach in the cellar are foundational elements of the distinctive character of Grattamacco Rosso, which is enhanced by the presence of Sangiovese in the blend, in accordance with Tuscan tradition.
Vintage 2020
THIS VINTAGE GIFTED GENEROUS FRUIT WITH EXCELLENT, CRISP ACIDITIES, ALONGSIDE CLEAN-EDGED BALSAM AND PUNGENT MEDITERRANEAN SCRUB. THE PALATE FEATURES A BEAUTIFULLY-BALANCED MELDING OF A REMARKABLY BROAD VEIN OF MINERALITY AND A GENEROUS, ENFOLDING SUITE OF TANNINS. IT CONCLUDES ON A SUPERBLY CRISP ACIDITY THAT PRESAGES SIGNIFICANT LONGEVITY.
The Climate
Rains in late August provided relief for the vines and restored a gradual, balanced ripening process. Mild weather, with intense sunlight and good day-night temperature differentials accompanied the start of harvest of Merlot and Sangiovese. Ripening of all the grape varieties was quite rapid and uniform across the vineyards, with picking of the remainder of the fruit concentrated in the second third of the month and concluding on 22 September. Providentially, since heavy rains followed in the following days.
Vinification
Grattamacco grows in vineyards lying at elevations between 100 and 200 meters, planted in soils composed of calcareous sandstone and a mixture of white clay and fossil-rich flysch marl, and enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate tempered by frequent sea breezes. Our viticultural philosophy and practices, firmly based on respect for the environment, ensure a naturally-balanced low-yield per vine, in vineyards averaging 25 years old. The clusters are hand-harvested, with a rigorous quality-selection in the vineyard. Fermentation is in open-top oak vats, and the wine is given regular, gentle manual punch-downs, making possible lengthy macerations and slow extraction of totally ripe, fine tannins. The finished wine matured 18 months in small oak barrels and was bottled in August 2022.
Luca Marrone, Chief Winemaker
Composition
65% Cabernet Sauvignon
20% Merlot
15% Sangiovese
Appearance
Brillant ruby red
Alcohol
14,5%
