Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A toasty and spicy wine with aromas of curry, chocolate, leather, leaves and restrained bramble fruit. On the palate it’s silky and elegant, with integrated freshness and a chewy finish. It’s savory, peppery and smoky. Vegan. Sustainable. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2020 Carménère cascades up from the glass with an array of dried roses and violets, nuances of black olive, stone dust and white pepper. This is silky smooth yet lifted and pure in style, with a wave of red and blue fruits offset by hints of cedary spice, all guided by cool-toned acidity. A web of fine tannins frames the experience as the Carménère leaves a tart cranberry twang that lingers incredibly long. I expect a long life for the 2020. Give it three to four years flesh out.
Rating: 93+ -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Tenuta San Leonardo 2020 Carmenère shows a lighter appearance when compared to the previous 2019 vintage. This vintage boasts a medium-lean texture with tart plum, bitter currant and hints of spicy white peppercorn. You also get some leafy greenness. This historic estate in Italy's Trentino region has embraced Carmenère as an important element in its prestigious portfolio, and it's one of only a handful to do so.
Dark, full-bodied and herbaceous with a spicy kick, Carménère found great success with its move to Chile in the mid-19th century. However, the variety went a bit undercover until 1994 when many plantings previously thought to be Merlot, were profiled as Carménère. Somm Secret— Carménère is both a progeny and a great-grandchild of the similarly flavored Cabernet Franc.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.