Antinori - Guado Al Tasso - Bolgheri Superiore 2016

Antinori - Guado Al Tasso - Bolgheri Superiore 2016 (94 TSW)

During our Bolgheri trip we also visited one of the most famous and biggest wineries of this region. Guado Al Tasso.

The 320 hectare vineyard extends from the coast to the hills, where the vines are grown on rocky and slightly calcareous soils. The vineyards are surrounded by rolling hills, locally also called the "Bolgheri Amphitheater". This creates a unique microclimate, with a cooling wind that cools the vines from the hills at night. This allows the grapes to mature perfectly. The combination with the versatility in soil types gives the Guado al Tasso wines their characteristic aromas.

All the top estates in Bolgheri originate from the Antinori family, Carlotta's sister, Clarice married Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and the estate was divided into two parts: Tenuta San Guido (from Sassicaia) and Tenuta Guado al Tasso. Later, Piero's brother, Ludovico, got hold of a piece by Tenuta San Guido and, with Piero's help, founded the other famous Tenuta Ornellaia.

The letters DG always appear on the bottle. These stand for "Della Gherardesca", the original inhabitants of the estate. The name Guado al Tasso is derived from the badgers that live in the many streams that flow through the estate. The size of the estate and the variety of types of soil make this place a true paradise for planting different grape varieties.

My notes on this great 2016 vintage.

A tangy and lingering wine, complex.
Intense ruby red colour, very subtle and fragrant aromas with hints of red berries, plums and cherries with stronger hints of chocolate, herbs and liquorice.
Close-nit, velvety tannins on the palate with chocolate, blueberries and a hint of vanilla in the aftertaste. I bought some bottles to keep in my cellar.