Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre di San Leonardo, 2022
Tenuta San Leonardo, Terre di San Leonardo, 2022
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
Tenuta San Leonardo is widely acknowledged as the top winery in Trentino, producing some of the most consistent wine in Italy. Terre is a more youthful version of the critically acclaimed ‘San Leonardo’ wine (known by critics as the “Sassicaia of the North”).
"From the iconic San Leonardo, this is brilliant value red which is absolutely perfect right now with 5 years on the clock. As a Bordeaux blend with a good glug of Merlot, it favours earlier drinking and is the perfect match for BBQ'd meats...should summer ever actually arrive. If not, it will pair equally well with all manner of dishes you can cook in the oven or on the hob!"
James, Wine Guru
The Terre blend includes a higher percentage of Merlot (40% compared to 10% in the San Leonardo) alongside Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Carménère (10%). Only 20% of the wine is aged in oak barrels, preserving the freshness of the fruit. At this price point, the wine compares favourably to a warm vintage Pomerol or Saint-Émilion: full of spicy ripe plum and roasted herbs.
This 2022 is drinking beautifully now at four years old, showing integrated tannins and developed fruit character. The Merlot-driven style means it's designed for relatively early drinking rather than long cellaring. Over the next few years, expect the oak to integrate further whilst the fruit moves from primary to more complex secondary flavours. It should hold its peak until 2032, after which it will begin a gentle decline rather than gaining complexity.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby red with garnet reflections at the rim.
NoseRipe plum and blackberry mingle with dried herbs and a touch of cedar. There's a savoury undertone of roasted peppers and a hint of Alpine freshness that keeps everything lifted. The oak is present but well-integrated, adding spice rather than dominating.
PalateMedium to full-bodied with supple tannins that coat the mouth without gripping too hard. The Merlot shows in the rounded, generous fruit, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and the Carménère adds a distinctive herbal complexity. Fresh acidity keeps it lively and food-friendly.
FinishLong and savoury with lingering herbs and a touch of dark chocolate.
Overall impressionA polished, drinking-beautifully-now red that shows why San Leonardo has such a stellar reputation.
Food Pairings
In Trentino, this would pair beautifully with speck (the local smoked ham) and aged Trentingrana cheese, or the region's hearty game dishes like venison with juniper. The locals would also match it with polenta topped with mushroom ragu, or their distinctive strangolapreti (spinach and bread dumplings) in brown butter. During autumn, it's perfect with roasted chestnuts and the first pressing of olive oil from Lake Garda's groves.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to show both the fruit and structure at their best. No need to decant unless you want to show off, though an hour's breathing won't hurt. Use generous Bordeaux glasses to give the aromatics room to develop, and open it 30 minutes before serving to let the wine relax.
The vineyards sit in Trentino's Vallagarina valley, where Alpine breezes meet Mediterranean warmth from nearby Lake Garda. Rocky, well-draining soils of limestone and volcanic porphyry provide excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the growing season. The dramatic diurnal temperature variation between warm days and cool nights preserves freshness in the grapes whilst allowing full phenolic ripeness.
Trentino DOC covers the autonomous province's diverse terrain from Alpine foothills to lakeside slopes. Unlike its German-speaking neighbour Alto Adige, Trentino focuses heavily on international varieties, particularly Bordeaux blends that have found remarkable expression in this climate. The region's reputation rests largely on San Leonardo's shoulders, proving that serious Cabernet-based wines can thrive this far north in Italy.
The 2022 growing season in Trentino brought both drama and reward, with an early, warm spring pushing budbreak ahead of schedule before a scorching summer tested every vine's mettle. Rain arrived just when the vines needed it most in late August, rescuing what could have been a parched disaster and allowing for a harvest that stretched into October with beautifully concentrated fruit. The high-altitude vineyards that make Trentino special proved their worth once again, with the cooling mountain air preserving the freshness that separates these wines from their sweltering cousins further south.
What emerged from the cellars shows 2022's warm signature without the flabbiness you might expect. The Pinot Grigio has more texture and weight than usual whilst keeping its mountain-stream clarity, and we find the reds particularly compelling – Teroldego especially seems to have thrived in the heat, producing wines with deep colour and ripe tannins that feel substantial rather than jammy. These wines are drinking beautifully now, offering immediate pleasure, though the better examples will easily hold their form for another five to seven years.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Think spiced plum and roasted herbs with the warmth of a good Merlot-driven blend. It's like a warm vintage Pomerol but with Alpine freshness and at a much friendlier price.
When should I drink this wine?
It's perfect right now at four years old and will stay at its best until 2030. This is designed for pleasure rather than cellaring, so don't wait too long.
What food goes well with this wine?
Brilliant with BBQ meats, roasted lamb, or hearty stews. The Merlot makes it food-friendly whilst the structure handles rich dishes beautifully.
How does this compare to the famous San Leonardo wine?
This Terre is the younger, more approachable sibling with more Merlot for earlier drinking. Same estate quality and philosophy, just designed to drink now rather than age for decades.
Does this wine need decanting?
Not essential but 30 minutes breathing time will help it open up. Serve at 16-17°C in generous glasses to show off the aromatics.
Is this good value for money?
Absolutely. You're getting the quality of Italy's most consistent winery at a fraction of what similar quality Bordeaux would cost, and it's drinking perfectly now.
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