About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from Loc. Montebottigli in the municipality of Grosseto, within the Maremma area of Tuscany. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc occupy sites selected for their high proportion of stones and sand, conditions intended to moderate the varieties’ natural vigour while preserving finesse and elegance. The 2021 technical data describe predominantly sandstone soils, 22-year-old vines, spur-cordon training and a density of 6,600 vines per hectare.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. The latest published vintage, 2021, is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the core of the wine, while Cabernet Franc contributes its characteristically vegetal and herbaceous profile even under the warm conditions that permit full ripening.
Vinification
For the 2021 vintage, Cabernet Franc was hand-picked from 10 September and Cabernet Sauvignon from 14 September. Fermentation took place at 28–30°C, followed by 16 days of maceration.
Ageing
The wine matured for 18 months in 225 L French oak barrels, of which 70% were new. It then spent four months finishing in concrete tanks. The 2021 vintage was bottled in May 2024 and released in July 2025.
Technical data
The 2021 vintage has 13.50% alcohol and a published total-acidity value of 5.70%. Production amounted to 22,500 bottles. Formats comprise 750 ml, 1.5 L, 3 L, 6 L and 12 L. The 750 ml bottles are packed six to a cardboard case, while the larger formats are supplied individually in wooden cases.
Tasting profile
Full-bodied and seductive, with dark-spice flavours and an enveloping, long finish. Its style combines power with refinement and is presented as the estate’s principal cru and an expression of Maremma terroir—Bordeaux-inspired in composition, but Maremman in character.
Serving and pairing
Pair with aged cured meats, steaks, mildly spicy dishes and medium-aged cheeses. The stated ageing potential exceeds 20 years.
Vintage notes
The 2021 growing season followed an autumn and winter with typical temperatures and ample rainfall, building substantial water reserves. A sharp cold spell and frosts on 7–8 April damaged some already advanced buds and reduced potential fruiting, with the effects varying among zones and individual vineyards. From May onward, favourable bud development and excellent flowering resumed in generally dry conditions. Wide day-to-night temperature variation during harvest enabled gradual ripening and strong aromatic development. The estate’s harvest ran from 5 September to 10 October; rainfall between 1 April and 30 September totalled 376 mm, the published temperature index was 3,909°C, and the vintage was rated “Outstanding.”
Label / history
Tenuta Belguardo is produced only in selected vintages. The technical specifications identify 2000 as the first vintage. The wine later became a prominent reference for the Maremma Toscana DOC denomination; the 2013 vintage reached number 23 in Wine Spectator’s 2017 Top 100.
