Belguardo Bronzone Morellino di Scansano Riserva 2022

Belguardo Bronzone 2022, the Sangiovese of Scansano

In this Morellino di Scansano Riserva, the Sangiovese shows a face that is both fruity and spicy, carried by a full structure and a well-defined freshness. I recommend it if you're looking for a red with character, whose oak aging supports the fruit without erasing its expression.

The Maremma, Scansano and the Mazzei identity

Belguardo Bronzone is born in the Tuscan Maremma, in the heart of the hilly zone of the province of Grosseto associated with Morellino di Scansano. According to archaeological excavations, grapevine cultivation there goes back to the Etruscan era. This appellation, elevated to DOCG in 2006, draws its identity from this territory between hills and sea. The Belguardo estate is a project undertaken by the Mazzei family in the mid-1990s. Its work includes an important program of research and vineyard replanting, with the ambition of defining the personality of the local wines.

This 2022 Riserva is made from Sangiovese, known locally as Morellino, a name associated with the Morelli horses typical of the region. The grapes are harvested by hand, then macerate and ferment at a controlled temperature, between 27 and 29 °C, for 14 to 16 days. The wine then ages for 14 months in partially used French oak barriques. This duration and the choice of previously used casks give a framework to the cuvée, while the grape variety and its origin remain at the heart of the profile.

The color is a bright ruby red, highlighted by discreet garnet nuances. On the nose, the aromas of forest fruits — blueberry and blackberry — intertwine with a delicate touch of dried spices. The whole is described as complex and expressive, with a bouquet that invites you to take your time rather than search for a single dominant note. On the palate, the structure is defined, enveloping and full; the flavor asserts itself, while balanced acidity brings freshness. The wine thus sits in a fruity and spicy register, with medium to pronounced presence and perceptible oak aging, without the wood being presented as its sole signature. I see it as a red that can accompany a meal just as well as hold your attention during a quiet tasting.

At the table, between meats and Tuscan cuisine

At the table, I would serve it with red meat, white meats or a risotto; it also suits a pasta dish, where its structure and dark fruit notes can match a generous preparation. For an evening around a shared meal, give it time to open up in the glass and notice how the forest fruits and spices echo each other. If you want to explore the Maremma through a Sangiovese from Scansano, this Mazzei Riserva offers a precise path, rooted in its appellation and its aging.