2015 Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo IGT, Trentino

Intense ruby. Ripe berry fruit, plus thyme, oregano and fine chocolate. Savoury herbs on the palate, some cardamom, salty, unfolds with firm, sturdy tannin, rich power, but also elegant and long.

97 points jamessuckling.com

I am reluctant to draw too many conclusions from this sample because it has not yet finished its bottle evolution. San Leonardo is notorious for its long aging requirements, even in a warm and accessible vintage such as this. The 2015 San Leonardo will be officially presented at Vinitaly in 2020 (in April) and will hit foreign markets soon after that. From what we can determine now, this is shaping up to be a beautiful wine with deep inner fruit richness and exuberance. In its current state, the wine is lavish and extremely radiant. I am faithful that great results will follow. Stay tuned.

95-97 points Monica Larner robertparker.com Dec 2018 Drink 2025-2040

Described by Gambero Rosso as one of the “fifty wineries that changed Italy,” it is impossible not to be captivated by the sheer beauty of San Leonardo. 
It wasn’t until Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga took over the Tenuta in the 1970’s that San Leonardo began to make viticultural history. The estate has been in his family since 1724. Following his extensive experience in France and at Bolgheri’s Tenuta San Guido, Carlo set about replanting the vineyards to craft a wine that would become a Trentino, and Italian, classic. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere and 10% Merlot and with snall amounts of Franc and Petit Verdot, selected from the best barriques and only made in the finest vintages.

The 2015 Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo IGT is one of Italy’s great Bordeaux style reds, a wine that quietly rivals the finest of the Médoc while speaking clearly of its Alpine home. San Leonardo lies in the Vallagarina valley of Trentino, tucked between the Dolomites and Lake Garda, where cool mountain air, long sunny days and gravelly, limestone rich soils give Cabernet and Merlot remarkable freshness, perfume and longevity.

The estate has been owned by the Guerrieri Gonzaga family for centuries, and under the long stewardship of Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, San Leonardo became famous for its dedication to classicism, balance and long ageing. The vineyards are farmed with great care, and the wines are made with patience rather than haste, allowing site and vintage to shape the final blend.

The 2015 vintage was warm and generous, but the Alpine influence kept everything in check. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot delivers a wine of depth and elegance. In the glass it shows blackcurrant, dark cherry and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, graphite and subtle herbal notes. The palate is full bodied yet beautifully proportioned, with fine grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish.

This is a superb wine for the table. Roast beef, lamb, game meats, rich sauces or aged cheeses all bring out its depth and complexity. It is also a wine that rewards slow, attentive drinking.

The 2015 San Leonardo is approachable with air now, but it is built for the long term. Expect it to evolve gracefully over twenty to thirty years, gaining layers of leather, truffle and savoury nuance as it matures. It is a true Italian classic and one of the great wines of the Alps.