Guado al Tasso 2006

Climate

The 2006 harvest in Bolgheri was particularly well balanced and began in the first week of September, starting with early ripening grapes, Merlot being the first, which had reached perfect ripeness. There was no rain for the duration of the harvest (apart from a few stormy days mid September) and the vines were in optimum health, with no stress from drought. This gave an ideal period of time for the harvest, in which each variety was picked in turn, when the grapes were fully ripe, starting with the Merlot, then the Syrah and, finally, the Cabernet Sauvignon (picked between the last week of September and the first week of October).

Vinification

The grapes were picked by hand and carried in crates to the cellar, where they were de-stemmed and selected manually on sorting tables before pressing. The fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel containers at a controlled temperature (25-30°C) and lasted for between 15 and 20 days, during which pumping over and oxygenation was performed as necessary for each single variety. The wines were racked off into new oak barrels, where they completed malolactic fermentation by the end of the year. During the time in barrel, the wine was periodically racked and drawn off the lees and oxidized when necessary. After a meticulous control of each single barrel at the end of the 18 months ageing process, the varieties were blended. The wine was bottled and aged a further 10 months before release.

Tasting Notes

The nose is very refined and elegant, with fragrant, sweet aromas. The aromas are well integrated, with harmony between the fruity and balsamic notes. The palate is consistent and elegant, from the attack, through the mid-palate to the finish. The aftertaste matches the characteristics of the aromas giving a long, pleasant finish. These are the characteristics of Guado al Tasso 2006 as it is released onto the market - a wine with great class and a high potential for ageing in bottle.

Awards

I Vini Di Veronelli 2009 Super Tre Stelle - 97/100 Italy Wine Enthusiast 97/100 USA Wine Advocate 2009 91/100 USA Wine Spectator 2008 95/100 USA

The Wine

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complexity and elegance of the Bolgheri terroir. This wine has been produced since 1990 from vineyards on alluvial soils whose composition ranges from clay-sand to clay-loam with rocky deposits know as “scheletro”.

Climate

The 2021 growing season in Bolgheri was impacted by a long period of drought that lasted from June throughout September. However, unlike the 2017 vintage, winter was particularly rainy which contributed to replenishing groundwater reserves in the deep soils that characterize this territory. The vines had the necessary soil moisture for the entire growth cycle. Spring was cool resulting in a slight delay in bud break and flowering. Temperatures during the summer months were never excessive and ensured a normal, gradual ripening phase of the fruit in each vineyard parcel and produced berries that were whole and perfectly healthy. The grape harvest began with Merlot at the beginning of September, continued with Cabernet Franc mid-September and was completed at the end of the month with Cabernet Sauvignon. All three grape varieties presented exceptional concentration of fruit flavors and extract, defining 2021 as a superb vintage.

Vinification

Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes were sorted on two different occasions, once before destemming and again immediately after to guarantee that only perfectly ripe berries reached fermentation vats. Keeping with tradition, each single vineyard parcel was subdivided into smaller blocks and the grapes were harvested separately based on climate trends and individual characteristics of each grape variety and then fermented separately. Fermentation and maceration took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for 15 - 20 days. After racking operations, the wine was transferred directly into barriques where malolactic fermentation was completed by the end of the year. In February, wine from the very best vineyard blocks was selected and the final blend was made. Guado al Tasso was again transferred into new French oak barriques where it aged up until bottling which took place in July 2023.

Historical Data

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complex and elegant terroir found in Bolgheri. This wine has been produced since 1990 from vineyards on alluvial soils whose composition ranges from clay-sand to clay-loam with rocky deposits known as “scheletro”.

Tasting Notes

Guado al Tasso 2021 is an intense ruby red color. The palate is intense and complex with captivating aromas of currants, blackberries and blood oranges followed by undertones of spices, tobacco, licorice, and roasted coffee. The palate is mouth filling and persistent, bursting with vibrant silky tannins. A powerful yet graceful vintage with outstanding aging potential.

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. 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).