Our wines
Hortense
The flagship wine of the Estate, born on the highest vineyards of the Monte Gabbro Climat, where rare volcanic rhyolites and gabbro shape a terroir unique in Bolgheri. Predominantly Cabernet Franc, the altitude and the sea breeze make it a fresh, savoury Bolgheri Superiore of rare grace, far removed from the stereotypes of the appellation.
Soil information + −
The Hortense vineyards are the highest on the Estate, between 180 and 235 metres above sea level, on stony soils that are rare for Bolgheri. Here the altitude and the sea breeze bring minerality, savouriness and aromatic freshness.
- Blend:
- 58% Cabernet Franc, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot.
- Geological matrix and era:
- Volcanic rhyolites with intrusions of mica, biotite, gabbro, granite, skarn and basaltic traces. Alkaline pH, highly free-draining.
- Further data:
- Monte Gabbro Climat, Curva al Castello and Poggio al Lupo lieux-dits, north and north-east aspect, altitude 180-235 m a.s.l., alberello and Guyot training.
Tasting notes and pairings + −
It moves through the glass with spirit and grace, far from any display of sheer matter. On the nose, a deep balsamic current of bark, Mediterranean scrub and roots, with incense, mint, camphor, aniseed and medicinal herbs over a dark liquorice of almost volcanic timbre. On the palate it is fluid and fine-drawn, with startling savouriness and a tannic texture spun into the finest, seemingly endless embroidery.
Certifications + −
We use high-quality cork stoppers, each one individually analysed and validated with state-of-the-art gas chromatography in order to rule out the presence of TCA (trichloroanisole).
Awards and accolades
Our wines are made to speak of a place, not to chase a score. The recognition of Italian and international critics is, for us, confirmation of a path followed with consistency.
Best Wine for Ageing
Three CorkscrewsUntold, Vol. III
97
94
“A wine that takes you far, well beyond Bolgheri and Tuscany. A wine you don't expect.”
Ilaria Lorini
Best Sommelier of Italy 2025
“Behind Hortense there is also an explicit will to make a truly great wine. Look at the yields per hectare - where people often talk of 70, 80, even 100-120 quintals, and many DOCs sit at those levels - here we are at 10-20, at most 20-30 quintals. When you want to make a great wine, you make a very great selection.”
Andrea Gori | Trattoria da Burde
“Tenuta Fratini's Hortense, guided by French consultant Eric Boissenot, achieves an extraordinary tannin quality in 2023 - it is the new Haut-Brion of Bolgheri.”
“Hortense 2023 reminded me of something French, Saint-Joseph: a warm side, yet with the influence of the Rhône that gives it that importance, climatic too. It is out of context with where we are.”
Ilaria Lorini
Best Sommelier of Italy 2025
“Hortense 2023 is a precise, extremely elegant wine with many facets. On the nose it is pervasive and fresh, without imposing itself. The balsamic matrix is there, accompanied by notes of juniper, myrtle and fresh dark fruit, with a savoury trail.”
Filippo Lazzerini
Sommelier
Soil information + −
The Hortense vineyards are the highest on the Estate, between 180 and 235 metres above sea level, on stony soils that are rare for Bolgheri. Here the altitude and the sea breeze bring minerality, savouriness and aromatic freshness.
- Blend:
- 54% Cabernet Franc, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot.
- Geological matrix and era:
- Volcanic rhyolites with intrusions of mica, biotite, gabbro, granite, skarn and basaltic traces. Alkaline pH, highly free-draining.
- Further data:
- Monte Gabbro Climat, Curva al Castello and Poggio al Lupo lieux-dits, north, north-east and east aspect, altitude 180-235 m a.s.l., alberello and Guyot training.
Tasting notes and pairings + −
It moves through the glass with discretion and grace. On the nose, Mediterranean notes of caper, bay leaf and helichrysum emerge, followed by wild berries, ripe redcurrants and oriental spices over a balsamic base. On the palate it shows rare drinkability, with a seamless tannic texture and a deep savouriness that lengthens the sip, closing on the Mediterranean signature of caper.
Certifications + −
We use high-quality cork stoppers, each one individually analysed and validated with state-of-the-art gas chromatography in order to rule out the presence of TCA (trichloroanisole).
Awards and accolades
Our wines are made to speak of a place, not to chase a score. The recognition of Italian and international critics is, for us, confirmation of a path followed with consistency.
97
96
96
95
“A wine that takes you far, well beyond Bolgheri and Tuscany. A wine you don't expect.”
Ilaria Lorini
Best Sommelier of Italy 2025
“Behind Hortense there is also an explicit will to make a truly great wine. Look at the yields per hectare - where people often talk of 70, 80, even 100-120 quintals, and many DOCs sit at those levels - here we are at 10-20, at most 20-30 quintals. When you want to make a great wine, you make a very great selection.”
Andrea Gori | Trattoria da Burde
“The nose is of disarming depth, the palate is more alive than ever, the tannin very present. It is a wine that can become very cerebral and makes you think, especially when tasted alone. Hortense 2022 takes us far, in a tasting completely different from the others. It is one of the estate's finest bottles.”
Matteo Zappile
Director of Operations, Thompson Rome Hotel
“Hortense 2022 has a powerful, bright ruby colour with subtle violet hues. A very appealing nose with powerful notes of blackcurrant, liquorice and smoke, rounded off by a touch of dark chocolate. Full-bodied on the palate and rich in dark berry fruit, with a still slightly rough tannin and smoky notes emphasised on the finish.”
“The balance and elegance of Tenuta Fratini's wines is truly surprising. The Bolgheri Superiore Hortense 2022 (preview) in particular is substantial on the palate without losing grace as it develops; it lingers long in the mouth, never seeming insistent or excessive. The aromatics too are fine yet generous, perfectly balanced between notes of cherry and dried flowers, cinnamon and tomato leaf, hints of tar and forest-floor fragrances. A truly pleasant, refined wine.”
Soil information + −
The Hortense vineyards are the highest on the Estate, between 150 and 235 metres above sea level, on stony soils that are rare for Bolgheri. Here the altitude and the sea breeze bring minerality, savouriness and aromatic freshness.
- Blend:
- 80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Geological matrix and era:
- Soils of volcanic origin, metamorphic rocks with traces of mica and biotite, skarn, granite and basaltic traces.
- Further data:
- Production area Castagneto Carducci, hamlet of Donoratico (Livorno), altitude 150-235 m a.s.l., Guyot training, planting density 5,600 vines/ha, yield 55 quintals/ha.
Tasting notes and pairings + −
A dark, luminous ruby robe. On the nose, dense dark fruit with Mediterranean scrub to the fore: gentian, cinchona, liquorice and hints of rhubarb in a play of light and shade. On the palate it is elegant yet never overbearing, run through by a moreish bitter edge that forms its backbone and closes on a saline, vertiginous trail, like sunlight reflected on a wave at sunset.
“A wine that takes you far, well beyond Bolgheri and Tuscany. A wine you don't expect.”
Ilaria Lorini
Best Sommelier of Italy 2025
“Behind Hortense there is also an explicit will to make a truly great wine. Look at the yields per hectare - where people often talk of 70, 80, even 100-120 quintals, and many DOCs sit at those levels - here we are at 10-20, at most 20-30 quintals. When you want to make a great wine, you make a very great selection.”
Andrea Gori | Trattoria da Burde
“Hortense 2021 is a wine that speaks of Bolgheri in a polyglot yet so Mediterranean way.”
Francesco Saverio Russo
Wine communicator
Our Approach
A vision that begins with the land
In the vineyard
High-altitude vineyards on stony soils rare for Bolgheri, trained to alberello and Guyot. Hand harvest with selection in the field and a non-interventionist approach that leaves the vines their natural balance.
In the cellar
We vinify each parcel separately, in concrete tanks and with indigenous yeasts. Ageing in barriques accompanies the wine with restraint, never covering its identity.
The signatures
The oenological project bears the signature of Eric Boissenot and Emiliano Falsini, with agronomy by Stefano Galbiati and the collaboration of Vitenova. Precision work born of our Climats, from Monte Gabbro to Torre di Donoratico.
Our wines
In every wine, a story to tell
Every sip tells, without need of words, the poetry of this land.
Harte
An expression of the Torre di Donoratico Climat, where calcareous soils of macigno sandstone, pietraforte, flysch and marls, together with the constant Tyrrhenian breeze, shape a wine of great energy and vitality. Minerality is its signature, carried by vivid acidity and fine-grained tannin. A Bolgheri Superiore of rare Mediterranean depth.
Clinio
Born on the hills closest to the sea, among ancient Messinian deposits. It is our sunniest, most convivial wine: an IGT Toscana with a flowing palate, fine-grained tannin and a distinctly maritime salinity.
Contact
Every encounter begins with a word
Would you like to know more about our Estate, our vision or our wines? Leave us a message: we will be delighted to reply as soon as possible.
