Bell’Aja Bolgheri Superior 2022 Review: Exploring San Felice

^{This post has been sponsored by San Felice. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+.}

The Bell’aja Bolgheri Superior 2022 is produced from the oldest parcels in San Felice’s Le Sondraie vineyards in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Located in the Maremma, on the Tuscan coast south of Livorno, Bolgheri is a relatively young appellation, by Italian winemaking standards, but has garnered significant prestige over recent years.

Today, we’re taking a look at a bottle that I think perfectly encapsulates Bolgheri’s unique terroir – the Bell’aja Bolgheri Superiore 2022. As it happens, 2022 was itself a relatively unique year for the area. 2022 was marked by a drought that began at the end of the winter and persisted to mid-August, right on time for the grapes’ ripening period. The grapes responded positively to the strain of the drought and then began metabolizing the rains, optimizing the grape’s ripening process, and aiding in the production of a delicious wine. Or so this vintage’s story runs.

Let’s uncork the bottle and find out for ourselves. Shall we?

Wine Overview

Quick Facts

• Winery: This wine is produced by the Tuscan-based winery San Felice, which has recently announced a new strategic collaboration with the acclaimed French oenologist Thomas Duclos. Thomas Duclos will be working as a consulting winemaker across San Felice’s three Tuscan estates, in Chianti Classico, Campogiovanni in Montalcino, and Bell’Aja in Bolgheri.
• Grape Varietals: Bolgheri red wines are typically Bordeaux-blends made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, while sometimes featuring additions of Syrah, Petit Verdot, and, on rare occasions, Sangiovese.
• ABV: The Bell’aja Bolgheri Superiore is 14% alcohol by volume.
• Price: This bottle retails for approximately $75 USD (prices may vary by outlet, region, and availability).

Region – Bolgheri, Tuscany

As recently as the 1970s, Bolgheri, located on the Tuscan coast in the Maremma, just south of Livorno, had virtually no reputation for wine. In fact, Bolgheri’s terroir was considered ‘swamp-like,’ and largely unfit for the cultivation of vines. As such, the area produced – of all things – generic white wines, with much of the region pursuing other agricultural undertakings.

Winemaking was something the ‘other parts’ of Tuscany did. However, that all changed by the late 1970s, courtesy of a 1978 blind tasting held by Decanter Magazine, in which a Bolgheri red wine trounced several top Bordeaux wines. Since then, this relatively young appellation – young by Italian winemaking standards – has assuredly earned its now significant prestige over recent years.

The area has distinguished itself by bucking the Tuscan trend of producing Sangiovese and instead producing intense Bordeaux blends. In these blends, Sangiovese plays little if any role at all, helping to keep Bolgheri reds distinct.

Aromatic and Tasting Notes

On the Nose

The Bell’Aja Bolgheri Superiore 2022 introduces itself with herbal notes and wildflowers laced with anise. What I’ll describe as sage and basil waft off the top of the glass, conjuring images of vibrant greenery, giving rise to just a hint of either forest floor or something minty. These forefront aromatics end on notes of ripe dark fruits and tiled soil.

Deeper into the glass, the bouquet matures with notes of fresh tobacco leaf, floral notes, and a light dusting of cocoa. On a second whiff, there’s a syrupy vanilla framed in the floral notes from earlier, with the earthy qualities maturing into antique cedar and cigar box.

These qualities combine to create a beautifully layered aromatic profile that simply begs to be lingered over.

On the Palate

On sampling, the Bolgheri Superiore 2022 is entirely full-bodied, with refreshing citrus notes at the forefront. On the palate, the wine features sliced red berries and ripe blackberries, with juicy red cherries. Mixed dark fruit is present throughout. These qualities are all anchored in the earthy notes from the bouquet.

Finish

The wine’s finish is lasting and very pleasant, leaving behind dark fruit notes on the palate, as one would expect from any decent Bordeaux blend.

Food Pairings

• Grilled or Roasted Meats: Bolgheri Superiore, like most Bordeaux blends, loves grilled and roasted red meats. You might consider an herb-roasted rack of lamb or bacon-wrapped filet mignon with rosemary and garlic.
• Pasta with Rich Sauces: Opt for pasta dishes with hearty and rich sauces, such as a ragù or a Bolognese. For example, you might consider pasta tossed with marinara, eggplant, and whipped ricotta.
• Charcuterie: This wine adores a good charcuterie board with cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo. The wine's innate boldness and dark fruit notes would beautifully complement the savory and salty notes of the meats.

Wine Score and Verdict

The Score

I’ll award today’s bottle a solid 97 out of 100. Its pleasant aromatics, layered and complex palate, remain thoroughly pleasing without becoming overpowering, while the finish is lasting without overstaying its welcome. Paired with roasted red meat or a hearty pasta, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better incarnation of what makes Bolgheri special.

Who is this wine for?

If you enjoy hearty red wines or are looking for a decent Bordeaux-style blend to pair with a seared steak, roasted lamb, or heavy red sauce, this wine is for you. It’s also for anyone looking for a decent sipper alongside their next charcuterie board.

Where to Buy

Naturally, you could head right to the makers themselves. It’s also available at most of the usual outlets such as Wine.com.

And that’s our review of the 2023 Bell’aha Bolgheri. If you tried this wine or enjoyed our review, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you.

Cheers!

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