2018 Antinori Guado al Tasso IGT Bolgheri

WA96 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%).
JS96 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. Really pretty now, but wait two or three years.
DEC96 Guado al Tasso 2018 makes waves. Its nose has a leafy, almost herbal character and is quite different from the past vintages where the fruit was riper. The integration of this leafiness with restrained cassis is outstanding, the palate is silky and the tannins precise and creamy, with brilliant refreshing acidity. On the finish graphite minerality is elongated by the slightly bitter character of the wine. It represents faithfully the vintage and carries great complexity.
Drinking Window 2021 – 2038