Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose balances the richness of pomegranate, blood orange and cranberry with savory, sanguine notes of leather, cured meat and herbs, and then the palate runs with that bitter cranberry from the nose, while impossibly smooth tannins and vibrating acidity provide a sublime overall structure.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese raised for 12 months in barriques, the dark red 2020 Piastraia is ripe and inviting, with a sunny feel to its notes of baked red plum, turned soil, leather, sweet herbs, and mocha. Full-bodied, with lovely, fresh lift, it has fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and a rich core of fruit through the well-balanced finish. These wonderful wines have a savory and mineral accent, with an open window for enjoyment at a great price point.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Michele Satta 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Piastraia is a fine and delicate wine, especially on the Bolgheri playlist that tends to offer more blown-out or bigger wines. Here, instead, you get generous fruit tones and rich layers with a slightly more tapered and streamlined mouthfeel that is always the signature of this producer. Michele Satta remains committed to finding the proverbial silver lining to Bolgheri. The wine ends with soft cherry fruit and dark berry confit that reflects the hot vintage. There is a nice spicy element on the close.
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Decanter
The Satta's style was always focused on elegance and detail rather than power, and this 2020 confirms it. The fruity character is more on the fresh red fruit side rather than the dark, with balsamic intensity and Mediterranean herbs. The attack is dense, with velvety tannins, mid-palate weight, and well judged oak giving a tobacco and cocoa finish. The tannins are still grainy, but it's refreshing, slightly funky on the finish and complex. A wine to follow.
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James Suckling
Aromas of red currants, roses and fresh sage follow through to a medium body, with fine tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sangiovese.
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Wine Spectator
Shows aromas of fresh black cherry and blackberry that are pure and expressive, accented by wild herbs, cedar, iron and spices. Dense, yet balanced and fresh, with refined tannins gracing the lingering finish. Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2035.
In 1982 Michele started his own winery, one of the first in Bolgheri, withnewly acquired vines from his previous employer. In this famous region ofTuscany, Michele rapidly earned respect and became known quickly as a vigneron. Michele even worked as a consultant for other properties in the early 1990s, including Ornellaia at which time Michele planted many of their vineyards. Michele has always been the local expert on the great terroir of Bolgheri and this is why his wines have been so well regarded in Italy.
Michele is a father of six (an example of his traditional roots), a farmer and a winemaker. He is an uncomplicated, sincere and humble man with very clear priorities; family and vines. While he is a traditionalist, he is also a non-conformist. This deferential character, when combined with a deep dedication to perfection, balance in the vineyards and great attention to detail in the cellar, produces Bolgheri wines that communicate the amazing uniqueness of this man and his terroir. Walking with giants is no easy feat, unless you are Michele Satta.
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.