Bolgheri Wine, Italy: Styles, 10 Spectacular Bottles To Buy in 2024

The Bolgheri DOC in the Maremma region of Tuscany is famous for age-worthy Super Tuscan red wine made from Bordeaux grape varieties. These wines have as huge a fan following as other Italian favorites like Chianti Classico and Vin Santo.

In this article, we will explore Bolgheri wine in detail - its wine styles, 10 best bottles, investment potential, and serving tips. We’ll also take a quick glance at the region’s history.

Bolgheri Wine Styles And AOC Regulations

Here are the red, white, and Rose styles of Bolgheri DOC wine:

• Bolgheri Red Wines
• Bolgheri White Wines
• Bolgheri Rose Wines

A. Bolgheri Red Wines

Bolgheri red wines are classified as:

• Bolgheri Rosso DOC: Bolgheri Rosso winescan be monovarietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Merlot grape varieties. They can also be a blend of one of these Bordeaux grapes with up to 50% Syrah or Sangiovese and 30% Petit Verdot.
• Bolgheri Superiore DOC: Bolgheri Superiore wines have the same proportions as Bolgheri Rosso wines with a better quality.
• Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC: Bolgheri Sassicaia winesmay have over 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and up to 20% complementary grape varieties like Cabernet Franc.

Typically, Bolgheri reds are well-balanced, showcasing complex and bold flavors with fresh acidity and powerful tannins.

B. Bolgheri White Wines

Bolgheri Bianco wines can comprise up to 70% Vermentino grape variety, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and Trebbiano Toscano, and 30% other grape varieties.

They are sophisticated and generous wines with crisp and refreshing fruity characteristics.

C. Bolgheri Rose Wines

The rose wines were traditionally made with the Sangiovese grape variety but are currently produced from the Bordeaux grape varieties.

They are refreshingly pleasant and easy-drinking wines with delicate nuances and captivating aromas.

How much is a bottle of Bolgheri wine and how does it taste?

10 Exceptional Bolgheri Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are the best Bolgheri wines to add to your collection:

• 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri
• 2013 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Matarocchio Bolgheri Superiore
• 2016 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore
• 2010 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore
• 2016 Le Macchiole 'Paleo' Bolgheri
• 2013 Michele Satta I Castagni Bolgheri Rosso Superiore
• 2016 Podere Sapaio 'Sapaio' Bolgheri Superiore
• 2016 Castello di Bolgheri Varvàra Bolgheri
• 2019 Podere Grattamacco Vermentino Bolgheri Bianco
• 2020 Poggio al Tesoro Cassiopea Rosato Bolgheri Toscana IGT

1. 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy ($474)

An 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc blend, the 2016 San Guido delivers intense blackberry, ripe cherry, wild herb, and spice aromas. This stunning wine has bold fruit flavors with lively acidity on the palate.

2. 2013 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Matarocchio Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy ($457)

The 2013 Guado al Tasso Matarocchio is produced from 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. 

It has an enchanting nose of blackberry, spice, and mint with velvety tannins and a persistent finish.

3. 2016 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy ($258)

Made from the same blend as the 2013 Guado al Tasso, the 2016 Ornellaia has a complex bouquet of blackberry, cedar, and spice. It has bright acidity and firm tannins.

4. 2010 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy ($163)

The 2010 Guado al Tasso comprises 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc grape varieties.

The wine presents an aroma of red fruit, black cherry, sweet spice, and licorice with savory flavors, refined tannins, and a clean finish on the palate.

5. 2016 Le Macchiole 'Paleo' Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy ($119)

The Le Macchiole is a Cabernet Franc red wine with a nose of blackberry, citrus, cedar, and herb. It offers ripe plum and black cherry flavors with firm tannins, lively acidity, and a long finish.

6. 2013 Michele Satta I Castagni Bolgheri Rosso Superiore, Tuscany, Italy ($114)

This 2013 vintage wine is made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, and 10% Teroldego.

It has blackberry, graphite, and forest aromas with black pepper, tobacco, and cocoa flavors on the palate.

7. 2016 Podere Sapaio 'Sapaio' Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy ($79)

A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, the 2016 Podere Sapaio showcases a luscious bouquet of dark berry fruit, plum, and lavender. It has dried fruit, earth, and winter spice flavors with silky tannins and a long finish.

8. 2016 Castello di Bolgheri Varvàra Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy ($38)

The 2016 Varvàra from Bolgheri Castle is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot grapes. 

It has black currant, blackberry, and spice aromas with fruit, chocolate, toast, and mineral flavors on the palate.

9. 2019 Podere Grattamacco Vermentino Bolgheri Bianco, Tuscany, Italy ($35)

A bottle of the 2019 Vermentino delivers an intense bouquet of white fruit, hazelnut, and flint. This white wine has fresh floral flavors with a mineral tension and persistent finish.

10. 2020 Poggio al Tesoro Cassiopea Rosato Bolgheri Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy ($14)

The 2020 Cassiopea Rosato wine is made from 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot.

It has lively wild berry and spice aromas accompanied by crisp fruit flavors on a light and dynamic palate - perfect for every wine lover.

Should You Invest In Bolgheri Wines?

The wines from DOC Bolgheri offer a good cellaring potential of over a decade. In fact, the Le Macchiole can last for over 25 years. 

These wines also receive good ratings from critics and show impressive price appreciations. For example:

• The 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri earned a score of 100 from Robert Parker and 97 from Wine Spectator. Its price increased by 57%, from $302 in 2020 to $474 in 2022.
• The 2010 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore got a rating of 93 from Wine Spectator. It grew by 48%, from $110 in 2020 to $163 in 2022.

If you want to invest in Bolgheri wine, Vinovest is a reliable wine investment company that can help you create a lucrative wine portfolio.

Next, let’s look at the best ways to enjoy these wines.

How To Serve Bolgheri Wines

Serve your bottle of Bolgheri red wine at 61°F-64°F (16°C-18°C) with Italian delicacies like Bistecca, tomato-based pasta, and cold cuts. The wine also complements Pecorino Toscano cheese.

You can serve the white wine at 50°F-54°F (10°C-12°C) and the rose wine at 46°F-50°F (8°C-10°C.)

The white wine will go well with poached fish and young cheese, while the rose will complement grilled fish, bruschetta, and antipasti.

Read on to know about Bolgheri’s winemaking history.

A Brief History Of Bolgheri Wine

The story of Bolgheri wine began when Mario Incisa della Rocchetta cultivated a vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot vine plantings in 1944. 

He used these Bordeaux varieties to produce Sassicaia wine for private consumption. This vineyard later became the foundation of Tenuta San Guido. 

In 1968, his Sassacia wine scored higher than other Bordeaux wines in a blind wine tasting, increasing the popularity of Super Tuscan wine and boosting wine production in the area. Even the founder of Ornellaia, Lodovico Antinori, began cultivating Merlot vine plantings at his estate neighboring San Guido.

In 1983, the Bolgheri DOC was established in the commune of Castagneto Carducci (named after Giosuè Carducci - Italy’s first Nobel Prize winner for literature.) Interestingly, the DOC regulations of 1983 only permitted the production of white and rose wines. 

However, a 1994 revision permitted the production of red wines with native grapes.

Later, the 2011 regulations let producers use international grape varieties cultivated in the region, allowing producers to make monovarietal wines from the Bordeaux grapes. 

In 2013, Bolgheri Sassicaia became an official DOC, no longer a sub-classification of the Bolgheri DOC.

Add A Bottle Of Bolgheri Wine To Your Collection

A bottle of DOC Bolgheri wine is the perfect accompaniment for Italian cuisine. Its complex and fresh characteristics would please the palate of a seasoned wine lover or a beginner.

Also, the wine’s great aging potential makes it a fantastic choice for your cellar.

Sign up with Vinovestto add a bottle of fine Italian wine to your collection - whether it is a Chianti Classico, Vin Santo, or Bolgheri DOC wine.