Tenuta San Leonardo, located in the picturesque Trentino valley and housed in a former medieval monastery, is famed for its flagship red wine, which uniquely blends Carmenere with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate, which has been owned by the Guerrieri Gonzaga family for 300 years, features lush vineyards and beautifully maintained gardens surrounding the historic Villa Gresti, their family residence.
The recent launch of their 2021 vintage was held in the opulent Palazzo Taverna in Rome, where the connection between wine and nature, characterized by light and shade, was underscored by Italian artist Chiara Camoni’s exhibition, Spiritelli di Terra e Vegetazione, in line with the estate’s ‘Arte a San Leonardo’ project.
Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga shared insights on the significance of light for producing great vintages, highlighting that 2021 emerged as an extraordinary year of light in contrast to previous scorching vintages. With its sleek, finesse-driven style, the 2021 release is particularly appealing to those who prefer fresher wines, while also possessing the potential for long-term aging. Anselmo referred to it as a "marathon runner," suggesting it could age beautifully for 40 years or more, rivaling past legendary vintages like 1988.
The 2021 vintage is being closely compared to the acclaimed 2019, which is hailed for being tighter and more aromatic, as it comes from a slightly cooler year. Although only time will reveal which is superior, the consensus is that 2021 stands out as one of the most remarkable and cellar-worthy offerings from San Leonardo in recent times.
Further enhancing the winery’s narrative, the labels for a limited run of 999 bottles feature organic imprints of natural materials from the estate, signifying the rich ecosystem of San Leonardo.