Belguardo V

In 2008, the Mazzei Family launched an ambitious research project a mere 10km from the Maremma Coastline, to investigate and attempt to elevate Vermentino wines to unprecedented levels never seen before in the region. This led to the creation of the Codice V project – Code Vermentino - aiming to showcase the noblest character of Vermentino - complexity, sapidity, minerality, and longevity.

Vintage after vintage the team at Belguardo has harvested the best results from four vermentino clones (two Corsican and two Sardinian) using amphora and stainless still vessels to age the wines.
From the 2021 vintage, this has finally borne fruit, leading to a name change, and a higher level certification – Codice V becomes Belguardo V, with its own DOC Maremma Toscana Vermentino Superiore and, we think, the epitome of Vermentino.

Appellation: Maremma Toscana DOC Vermentino Superiore
Grape Variety: 100% Vermentino (2 clones from Corse + 2 from Sardinia)
Soil: Medium texture, prevalence of Arenaria and highly rocky
Winemaking: 50% on the skins for 6 months, mainly in amphora; 50% "sur lies" in stainless steel, with weekly "batonnage"
Serving temperature: 12-14 °C
Longevity: 10-15 years
Food pairing: fish and white meat savoury dishes, risotto, porcini mushrooms...

Belguardo V 2021

Fresh from the modification of the specification, just approved, here is the first Vermentino Superiore of the denomination and the cellar: the Belguardo V, whose first vintage came out in 2011 as Codice V. A decidedly non-trivial wine, obtained from the crossing of Corsican and Sardinian clones and vinified and matured in amphora and steel. The 2021 version smells of ripe fruit with yellow pulp, citrus honey, fresh almond, and aromatic herbs. In the mouth, the taste is rich, juicy and, above all, sapid, with a final note with saline hints. A definitely long-lasting wine.
Francesco Mazzei

Belguardo V is a benchmark white for the Maremma. Launched with the 2008 vintage, it began incorporating 20% of amphora-vinified fruit from the 2016 vintage onwards. Belguardo is owned by the Mazzei family, and president of the Maremma Toscana consorzio, Francesco Mazzei is using the estate to keep up the forward momentum of this denomination: a name change from ‘Codice V’ to ‘V’ coincides with the brand-new Maremma Toscana DOC Vermentino Superiore, ratified earlier this year. Other changes include increasing the percentage of grapes vinified on the skins in amphorae from around 20% to 50% (the rest in stainless steel on the lees) and reducing the ageing period from nine months to six. Lemon, lime and apple aromas mingle with floral and almond overtones, while the bold, creamy, slightly honeyed palate combines succulence with a line of salinity which runs through the core of sapid green and yellow fruits. Soft and comforting, breezy and fresh, this is a fantastic wine for the table, and will also cellar well.
93 points James Button, Decanter Magazine

Notes of peach pit, sliced apples, crushed almonds and acacia flowers. Medium-bodied, a little waxy and phenolic with tense acidity and a lingering, slightly tight finish. Has a mineral backbone. Drink now.
92 points James Suckling

Bright, shimmering straw yellow. Nose initially of fresh asparagus, then on citrus, elderflower, of medium expression. The palate is fresh, on stone fruit, salty and racy, slightly phenolic on the finish.
92 points Falstaff Magazine