Alberello is the classic Bordeaux blend of Grattamacco in Bolgheri, a mix of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, sourced from a 2ha vineyard planted with bush vines ('alberello'). Clay and earth aromas are joined by intense floral notes of violet. It's a muscular wine, large and powerful, smooth and just chalky on the finish, with an amazing mineral vibrancy.

The 2017 Bolgheri Superiore l'Alberello shows a fine and seamless nature that defies this challenging vintage. This is a blend of organic 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot aged in oak for a standard 18 months. The vines are planted according to a special spacing method called "settonce" in Italian. This means that each alberello plant (or head pruned vine) is equidistant to the next. In theory, this brings more light and favors even ripening. Indeed, "even" is the word that first comes to mind. The intensity and the dark fruit aromas are nicely spaced out and level. However, the tannins are extra tight, showing the phenolic ripeness of the hot and dry vintage.