Antinori Guado al Tasso 2018

Sale $124.99

96 pts Wine Advocate / 96 pts James Suckling / 95+ pts Vinous

Antinori was one of the original pioneers of the “Super Tuscan” wine, first with Tignanello in 1971, then with Solaia in 1978. Unlike the first Super Tuscan to gain fame, Sassicaia, which hailed from the Bolgheri region on the coast, both Tignanello and Solaia were born deep inside the Chianti region in the hillsides of Tuscany.

After the success of these wines, and others like them, Antinori decided to expand into the Bolgheri region. Thus, in 1990, Guado al Tasso was born. Unlike it’s Tuscan brethren, Guado al Tasso does not include any Sangiovese in the blend. It is entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot.

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.

“The 2018 Guado al Tasso is silky, delicate and exceptionally polished. I can’t remember tasting another Guado like it. Medium in body and gracious, the 2018 offers up a compelling mélange of dark fruit, chocolate, cedar, licorice and dried herbs, all in a mid-weight style that is incredibly appealing.” Vinous

“ Lots of redcurrants and flowers on the nose, together with crushed stones. Full-bodied and very layered with beautiful fruit and density, yet it remains agile and light. The tannins are totally integrated. I like the light herbal touch to the red fruit here. Flower petals. Juicy, flavorful finish with citrus zest at the end. 60% Cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc and 18% merlot.” JS

“Guado al Tasso 2018 is an intense ruby red color. The nose opens with captivating notes of sweet spices and small dark ripe fruit, licorice root, leather and tobacco. On the palate the tannins are graceful: silky on entry and vibrant on the finish. Guado al Tasso 2018 is harmonious with excellent balance and pleasantness, it’s most certainly less powerful than the 2017 vintage, but perhaps for this reason is more refined and elegant.” Winery note

“Renzo Cotarella, managing director of Marchesi Antinori tells me that the 2018 vintage showed very different results in the inland and hilly Chianti Classico appellation compared to the flat, sea-facing Bolgheri appellation. This season saw some rain right before harvest. That extra humidity rolled right off the Chianti Classico hills and disappeared without effect, but it stuck around longer in the thicker, flatter soils of Guado al Tasso. For this reason, one of the estate's top wines, the Cabernet Franc-based Matarocchio, was not produced in 2018 for fear that the fruit would not offer the concentration required of a wine of that important stature. The best of that fruit was used in this wine instead. For that reason, the 2018 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees a little more Cabernet Franc (clocking in at about 22% of the blend) and less Merlot, with the rest being Cabernet Sauvignon, of course, (at about 60%).” WA

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