Guado al Tasso
The Wine
First produced in 1990, Guado al Tasso is the wine through which Marchesi Antinori has deepened its understanding and interpretation of Bolgheri, contributing to turning the potential of this terroir into an identity recognized around the world. Its name evokes Bolgheri as it once was: a landscape shaped by natural fords and untamed nature. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, sourced from vineyards at the foot of the Bolgheri amphitheater, are blended in proportions that vary with each vintage, expressing both the character of the territory and the distinctive qualities of the year. Guado al Tasso is a mosaic of terroir, defined by intensity and balance, with tannic finesse as its stylistic signature.
Historical Data
First produced in 1990, Guado al Tasso is the wine through which Marchesi Antinori has deepened its understanding and interpretation of Bolgheri, contributing to turning the potential of this terroir into an identity recognized around the world. Its name evokes Bolgheri as it once was: a landscape shaped by natural fords and untamed nature. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, sourced from vineyards at the foot of the Bolgheri amphitheater, are blended in proportions that vary with each vintage, expressing both the character of the territory and the distinctive qualities of the year. Guado al Tasso is a mosaic of terroir, defined by intensity and balance, with tannic finesse as its stylistic signature.
The Wine
First produced in 1990, Guado al Tasso is the wine through which Marchesi Antinori has deepened its understanding and interpretation of Bolgheri, contributing to turning the potential of this terroir into an identity recognized around the world. Its name evokes Bolgheri as it once was: a landscape shaped by natural fords and untamed nature. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, sourced from vineyards at the foot of the Bolgheri amphitheater, are blended in proportions that vary with each vintage, expressing both the character of the territory and the distinctive qualities of the year. Guado al Tasso is a mosaic of terroir, defined by intensity and balance, with tannic finesse as its stylistic signature.
The Bolgheri Amphitheater
The Guado al Tasso estate’s most characteristic geographic feature is the Bolgheri Amphitheater, a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. The shape of the territory creates a unique microclimate with beneficial temperature fluctuations. The estate’s vineyards are located at the foot of the amphitheater, an optimal position as cold nocturnal breezes cool down the vines. These particular climatic conditions give the grapes pronounced aromas and guarantee a perfect ripening of the berries.
Te Duce Proficio
Guado al Tasso added the Antinori family’s historic family crest on the capsules.
A Tribute to the Della Gherardesca Family
Guado al Tasso designed a label with the Della Gherardesca family crest and the initials DG as a tribute to the former estate owners.
Climate
The 2010 vintage, with the exception of July, was characterized by essentially cooler and rainier than average weather. Bud burst, in mid-April, was a week later than normal and May was particularly cool and rainy, delaying bud growth. June and, above all, July were dry with temperatures above seasonal averages, assisting a partial recovery of ripening time. August and September saw significant rains, but periods of fine weather as well. This was one of the coolest, latest, and most difficult vintages in recent years but one which, nonetheless, gave extremely satisfying results in terms of elegance and aromatic finesse in the finished wines.
Vinification
The crop was handpicked into small packing cases. In the cellar, the grapes were manually selected both before and after destemming and then softly pressed. Each single vineyard plot was fermented separately in order to obtain a full range of wines. The fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 77° and 86° Fahrenheit (25°-30° centigrade). All the wines went immediately into new French oak barrels where they went through a complete malolactic fermentation by the end of the year. After a year of aging, the finest lots were selected and blended and then went back into barrel for an additional six months of aging. A year in bottle preceded the release.
Historical Data
First produced in 1990, Guado al Tasso is the wine through which Marchesi Antinori has deepened its understanding and interpretation of Bolgheri, contributing to turning the potential of this terroir into an identity recognized around the world. Its name evokes Bolgheri as it once was: a landscape shaped by natural fords and untamed nature. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, sourced from vineyards at the foot of the Bolgheri amphitheater, are blended in proportions that vary with each vintage, expressing both the character of the territory and the distinctive qualities of the year. Guado al Tasso is a mosaic of terroir, defined by intensity and balance, with tannic finesse as its stylistic signature.
Tasting Notes
The nose shows excellent aromatic finesse and freshness with notes which recall rosemary, mint, red fruit and, lightly, liquorice. Very balanced on the palate, savory and long, the wine is potent and subtle at the same time, elegant and of great drinking pleasure.
Awards
I Vini di Veronelli Super Tre Stelle Italy A.I.S. Guide 5 Grappoli Italy Wine Advocate 97/100 USA Falstaff 92/100 Austria Wine Spectator 93/100 USA Wine Enthusiast 94/100 USA Wine & Spirits 91/100 + Year's Best USA
Datasheet
Tenuta Guado Al Tasso
The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the small but prestigious Bolgheri DOC, on the coast of upper Maremma, about one hundred kilometers southwest from Florence. This appellation has a relatively recent history, DOC Bolgheri was approved in 1995 and since then it has become an internationally recognized reference point for the Italian and international winemaking arena. The estate covers an area of 320 hectares (790 acres) planted with vines, set in a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides known as the "Bolgheri Amphitheatre" due to its particular shape. The vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino Nero and Bianco. There is also a small presence of Grenache, Petit Verdot, Viognier and Sémillon. The nearby sea provides a mild climate with constant breezes that mitigate summer heat and alleviate harsh winter weather, maintaining a clear sky and a high level of sunlight exposure.
Soil
Alluvial in origin, soils vary from sandy-clay to silty-clay and in some areas good presence of very fine gravel called scheletro (also known as agglomerate from Bolgheri).
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
