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2017 Tenuta Meraviglia 'Maestro di Cava' Bolgheri Superiore

Bolgheri's most unconventional Superiore. 100% Cabernet Franc from volcanic soils, made to age and built for those who know.

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2017 Tenuta Meraviglia 'Maestro di Cava' Bolgheri Superiore

Bolgheri's most unconventional Superiore. 100% Cabernet Franc from volcanic soils, made to age and built for those who know.

Retail $78
$59.99
/ bottle
You save $18.01
  • "Savoury Character" ~94 Decanter
  • Rare Bolgheri: 100% Cabernet Franc with Real Character
  • Organic Vines: Volcanic Soils, 150m Above Sea Level
  • Only 5,000 Made: Small-Production, Limited, and Special
  • BHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!
  • Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles
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Image of 2017 Tenuta Meraviglia 'Maestro di Cava' Bolgheri Superiore 2017 Tenuta Meraviglia 'Maestro di Cava' Bolgheri Superiore
$78
$59.99
/ bottle
You save $18.01

About The Wine

Tenuta Meraviglia sits at the southernmost end of the Bolgheri denomination, on an impressive plateau 150 metres above sea level surrounded by woodland with sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Tuscan Archipelago. The estate was acquired in 2016 by Argentine entrepreneur Alejandro Bulgheroni, who by that point had already built a significant wine portfolio spanning Uruguay, Argentina, and Tuscany — including the renowned Dievole and Certosa di Pontignano estates in Chianti Classico. With 30 hectares of certified organic vines planted primarily with Cabernet Franc on rare volcanic soils rich in rhyolite, Tenuta Meraviglia quickly established itself as one of the most exciting new names in a region already packed with icons.

The winemaking team is led by celebrated consultant Alberto Antonini, working alongside soil specialist Pedro Parra — a partnership that has defined the estate's philosophy from the start. Their approach is deliberately counter-cultural for Bolgheri: grapes are harvested earlier rather than later to preserve freshness and aromatic precision, extraction and maceration are kept as light as possible, and the wines are aged in large, untoasted French oak vessels rather than the small barriques typical of the region. The result is a style that looks more toward northern Italy or even the Loire than classic Bolgheri — refined, mineral, and driven by terroir rather than oak.

The 2017 vintage in Bolgheri was one of the hottest and driest on record in Tuscany — a genuinely difficult year that demanded careful management in the vineyard. For Maestro di Cava, the decision to harvest early proved critical, preserving the natural acidity and freshness that define the wine's character. After spontaneous fermentation in raw concrete tanks, the wine spent 24 months ageing in large, untoasted French oak barrels before bottling. Only 5,000 bottles were produced, making this one of the most limited releases from an estate that was, at the time, still just announcing itself to the world.

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At A Glance

Varietal:
Cabernet Franc
Region:
Tuscany
Sub-Appellation:
Bolgheri
Alcohol:
14.0%
Size:
750ml

TASTING NOTES

What's in the Glass

PAIRS WITH
Lamb · Venison · Duck · Truffle

Mouthfeel & Acidity

Light Body Full Body
 
 
 
 
 
Low Acidity High Acidity
 
 
 
 
 
Soft Tannins Firm Tannins
Dry Sweet

100% Cabernet Franc from certified organic vines grown on volcanic rhyolite soils at 150 metres above sea level. On the nose, the wine is clean, elegant and immediately varietal — restrained cassis and dark berry fruit sit alongside earthy Mediterranean notes, bell pepper beautifully integrated, and hints of graphite and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, with velvety, graceful tannins and a vibrant, chalky freshness that gives the wine real energy and flow. Dark berries, ripe blackberry and a subtle touch of liquorice and spice carry through to a long, focused finish with a distinctly savoury, balsamic character. Drinking well now but with clear potential to develop for 15 years and beyond. Drinking window: 2021–2038+.

CRITIC REVIEWS

What the Critics Said

A new entry for Bolgheri, Maestro di Cava is the 100% Cabernet Franc made by Alberto Antonini with Pedro Parra consulting. The grapes were picked earlier rather than later, the extraction and maceration were kept as light as possible, and the wine was matured in - quite unusually for Bolgheri - big oak vessels. Its style is more northern than typical Bolgheri. The result is an earthy wine with bell pepper notes well integrated with restrained cassis and kiwi. It's delicious for its drinkability and lightness, and the tannins are velvety and graceful, while the finish is focused on freshness and savoury character. ~94 Decanter

“Red wine made exclusively from Cabernet Franc grapes grown in volcanic soils in the Bolgheri area, fermented without the addition of exogenous yeasts in concrete tanks, followed by 24 months of aging in untoasted French oak botti. Another excellent vintage of this wine, which impresses with its refreshing acidity and firm, chalk-textured tannins that wrap around its perfectly ripe red and black fruits, giving the wine both fluidity and depth. Showing excellent typicity, it has a full, long finish with earthy notes, spicy accents, herbs, blackberry, graphite, and tobacco. It is drinking beautifully now, but has everything it needs to become even better over the next 15 years. Alcohol 14%.” ~94 Revista Adega

THE PRODUCER

Tenuta Meraviglia

Tenuta Meraviglia is a modern estate in Bolgheri, Tuscany, owned by the Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards, known for its strong focus on Cabernet Franc grown on rare volcanic soils near the coast.

Founded in 2016, the winery combines sustainable, organic farming with a terroir-driven philosophy, producing elegant, mineral-driven wines shaped by sea breezes and rocky hillside vineyards. Its striking, eco-conscious winery—built into a former quarry—reflects the estate’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and expressing the unique character of Bolgheri.

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