San Leonardo Terre IGT 2015

Description

“I find it difficult to think of any wine anywhere that has changed as little over the last 30 years as San Leonardo, surely the most successful Bordeaux blend of northern Italy.” Jancis Robinson, 2012

“The San Leonardo estate has been producing some of Italy’s finest Bordeaux style wines for generations.” Nicolas Belfrage, World of Fine Wines 2009

“San Leonardo is one of the great wines of Italy.” Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate December, 2014

“This blockbuster Bordeaux Blend from Trentino is clearly the Sassicaia of the north.” James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 2001

Described by Gambero Rosso as one of the “fifty wineries that changed Italy,” it is impossible not to be captivated by the sheer beauty of San Leonardo. Established in 1770 with the Dolomites serving as an imposing backdrop, the estate includes protected parkland, a stunning villa (headquarters of the counterespionage section of the German high command during WWII), a museum, the original Roman road to Austria and a cellar to rival any Bordeaux chateau. The comparisons with Bordeaux do not end there, for the wine could easily pass as cru classé left bank.  Jancis Robinson has described San Leonardo as “Trentino’s first growth”

Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga inherited the estate in 1974. He is a trained oenologist & spent eight years working with his relative Mario Incisa della Rocchetta at San Guido in Tuscany of Sassicaia fame no doubt a major influence on the direction Gonzaga took with San Leonardo. The wine that became an Italian classic is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Carmenere, released only in the best vintages. Terre is the junior sibling, more fruit forward with ripe plum, dark cherry, spice, leather and Trentino’s classic mineral backbone.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Carmenère. The grapes are sourced from the youngest estate vineyards. The wine displays then a more modest concentration and lively drinkability, plus a refined pleasurableness that gives it a definite elegance. Terre di San Leonardo’s roundedness and harmony are finally crowned by a six-month bottle-ageing before release.  This 2015 is an exceptional release following a dream growing season.

93 Points, James Suckling  “The fragrant, blackcurrant and blackberry nose pulls you into the elegant, medium-bodied palate, where the balance between fruit and fine-grained tannins is spot on. The best vintage to date of the second wine from San Leonardo.” 

RRP $48  Our price $38.99