San Leonardo 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the San Leonardo 2021

Tasting

Appearance
This wine displays a deep purple colour, enhanced by violet and garnet highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe plum, interwoven with hints of green notes, aromatic herbs, tobacco and bitter cocoa.

Palate
The attack is silky and harmonious. The palate stands out for its supple tannins, vibrant freshness and a long, elegant finish.

Food and wine pairings
Ideal with refined red meats, fine poultry or game, this wine also pairs beautifully with truffle risotto, porcini mushroom dishes, mature cheeses or aubergine parmigiana.

Serving and cellaring
San Leonardo 2021 is best served at 16°C. With its exceptional structure, this vintage has an estimated ageing potential of 30 years or more.

The elegance of a great Bordeaux-style blend in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige

The estate
Located in Trentino-Alto Adige, Tenuta San Leonardo is a historic estate whose official founding as an agricultural holding dates back to 1724. Covering nearly 300 hectares, around forty of which are planted with vines, the property is now run by Marquis Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga. A true hallmark of Italian excellence, the estate stands out for its artisanal approach and its commitment to biodiversity. It produces wines of great elegance, inspired by Bordeaux blends, while expressing the singularity of its Alpine terroir.

The vineyard
The grapes come from historic plots classified as IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti, located at altitudes of between 120 and 300 metres, with exposures ranging from south-west to north-west. The vines, aged 25 to 75 years, benefit from a variety of soils: light and sandy for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, and clay-rich and well-drained for the Merlot. The vineyard is farmed organically using several training systems (spur-pruned cordon, Guyot and Trentino pergola), with planting densities ranging from 1,800 to 5,100 vines per hectare.

The vintage
2021 proved to be an exceptional year. The growing season began with a cold spring followed by a rainy May, which delayed flowering. However, the hot, dry summer, combined with very favourable weather conditions in September, allowed the berries to reach optimal ripeness, offering a perfect balance between sugar levels and fine acidity. Harvesting took place from late September until 14 October.

Winemaking and ageing
The production of San Leonardo 2021 begins with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts, followed by 12 to 15 days of maceration in small concrete vats. Daily pump-overs and a few rack-and-returns punctuate this stage, before malolactic fermentation, also carried out in concrete vats. The wine is then aged for 24 months, 70% in barriques and 30% in medium-toast French oak tonneaux (first to third fill). After final blending in vat, the wine rests in bottle for at least 30 months before release.

Grape varieties
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Carmenère (30%) and Merlot (10%).