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 2013 vintage was, on the whole, a cool one, above all during the spring in September. The summer months, warm and sunny, but without excessively high peak temperatures, assisted in a proper, unstressed growth both of the grapes and of vine vegetation.. At the end of August, it was necessary to proceed with manual leaf removal to achieve the extract and complexity which characterize Guado al Tasso. September gave us lovely sunny days and cooler than usual nights, ideal conditions for balance between sugar accumulation and aromatic ripeness. In conclusion, a cool vintage which gave excellent fruits.
Vinification
The harvest began with the Merlot on September 4th and concluded with the Cabernet Sauvignon in early October. The grapes were sorted and selected twice, first immediately after picking and then after destemming, and only perfectly ripe berries went into the fermenting tanks. As in every vintage, the single vineyard parcels, subdivided into a series of small plots, were harvested and fermented separately to preserve their specific character and personality. The fermentation and skin contact took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel fermenting tanks and lasted 15-20 days. After fermentation, only superior lots went directly into new small oak barrels, where they went through their malolactic fermentation. The finest selections for Guado al Tasso were assembled and blended together after a year of aging and remained in barrel for a further six month period before bottling.
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 2013 Guado al Tasso is a wine of great elegance and finesse, silkier and more vibrant than ever. In a cool vintage, one with a very long growing season, the Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) brought notes of aromatic herbs and mint along with crisp tannins which added length. The Merlot (25%) gave concentration and texture and ample sensations of plums and blackberries. The characterful Cabernet Franc (18%) contributed aromatic and flavor elegance, intensifying the finish and aftertaste with notes of liquorice and cassis. And, finally, the Petit Verdot (2%) combined very well with other varieties, underlining the wine’s spiciness.
Awards
Wine Advocate 96/100 USA James Suckling 97/100 USA Wine Spectator 94/100 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
