Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese
Harvest period: early September (Merlot) up to the first week of October (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Vineyards: Torre, Poderini, Vignanova, i Castagni, Campastrello

The vineyard which produces this wine was planted in 1991 with Merlot, Cabernet, Sangiovese and Syrah with the intention of expressing an affirmation of the highest quality from the Bordelaise Varietals planted in Bolgheri, combined with the ability of elegance throughout the Tuscan Sangiovese and the complexity of the Mediterranean Syrah. Since 2012 I decided to confer this wine the Superior mention because after almost 20 vintages of this label I am fully aware that the first intuition of this blend, well represents the name of Bolgheri.

The fermentation of each variety is handled separately in cone-truncated oak barrels of 30 hl. Only natural yeasts are present. I start with two daily manual pressings of the cap of the wine eventually ending with one. An open pumping over procedure is made only if necessary. With frequent tastings I carefully choose the time of the drawing off (usually after about 20 days), from which the wine goes directly into barriques. Fining: the wine rests in French oak barriques (1/5 new) for a period of 18-24 months.

An important difference between Michele Satta and other big names like Ornellaia or Sassicaia is that the determined and very likeable wine producer in Bolgheri runs the oldest winery that belongs to a winemaker. Satta founded its winery in Castagneto Carducci at a time when grape growing in the Tuscan region was in its infancy and great successes were still to come. The path taken by the innovative winemaker was new in Bolgheri at the time. Thus he, supported by his wife Lucy from the very beginning in his decisions, not only focused on the international varieties Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, but also on the noble Sangiovese vine.

The 2018 Bolgheri Superiore “Piastraia” is a wine that incarnates the spirit of the Tuscan terroir. It is aged for 18 months in barriques and at least for 24 months in bottle and it expresses itself with notes of fruits jam and Mediterranean spices, noble woods and balsamic herbs. On the palate is structured, full-bodied, balanced and very persistent.