MARCHESI ANTINORI 'Guado al Tasso' Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2020 Bottle

Description

The 2020 Guado al Tasso, rated 96 points by both The Wine Enthusiast and Vinous, is a stunning expression of Bolgheri's terroir. Showcasing over 30% Cabernet Franc, it opens with rich aromas of blackberries, black cherry, and a hint of white pepper. On the palate, the wine presents a warm, supple texture, where luscious berry flavours lead to a salty, chocolaty finish. The tannins are well-integrated and accompanied by vibrant acidity, enhancing its freshness. Vinous notes a delightful blend of blackberry jam, mocha, and spice, contributing to its inviting profile. Renowned for its precision and depth, this vintage promises excellent ageing potential, solidifying Guado al Tasso's status as a classic Tuscan superiore.

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MARCHESI ANTINORI
Marchesi Antinori is a historic Italian wine producer founded in 1385, making it one of the oldest wineries in Italy. Based in Tuscany, the Antinori family has dedicated itself to quality winemaking for over six centuries, operating several estates in renowned regions, including Chianti Classico and Bolgheri. The winery is famous for its iconic Super Tuscan wines, such as Tignanello and Solaia, which blend traditional Sangiovese with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Marchesi Antinori champions sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly practices, reflecting the unique terroir of its vineyards. With a reputation for excellence and innovation, Marchesi Antinori remains a leading figure in the global wine industry, appealing to both enthusiasts and collectors alike.

GUADO AL TASSO
Guado al Tasso is a prestigious wine estate owned by the Marchesi Antinori family, located in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Italy. Established in the late 1990s, the estate covers approximately 300 hectares, with around 80 hectares dedicated to vineyards that cultivate a blend of international grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. The flagship wine, Guado al Tasso, is celebrated for its rich fruit flavours, structured tannins, and complex aromatic profile featuring dark berries, spices, and earthy notes. Aged in French oak barrels, the wine gains depth and elegance. Committed to sustainable viticulture, the estate reflects the uniqueness of its terroir, making Guado al Tasso a sought-after choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96 points
Drink Date: 2025 - 2045
The Marchesi Antinori 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso sees Cabernet Franc at over 30% of the blend in this vintage, with the rest going to Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% to 20% to Merlot. Matarocchio was not produced this year, and this wine benefits from the extra Cabernet Franc as a result. The 2019 and 2021 vintages of Guado al Tasso are quite concentrated and rich, whereas 2020 is leaner in texture, along the lines of the edition we saw made in 2010. There was rain in September. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella says he would not describe 2020 as a hot vintage because the rain did pose challenges at the end of the growing season. In Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, budbreak is earlier than in other appellations, and the growing season is longer as a result. This is a benefit to the international varieties used here. The wine shows nice richness and intensity. The Cabernet Franc definitely comes through and adds the characteristic vertical lift and linearity that the grape is known for. You get black fruit, spice, white pepper and no signs of bitter stems or bramble. Sweet, almost milky tannins are interlocked with fresh acidity to give this wine good cellaring potential. The new oak was dialed back a bit in this vintage.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 points
The nose is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherry and soil, while a white pepper undertone provides pop. On the supple, warm palate, berries continue leading the way, before a salty, chocolaty finish with another kick of pepper. Stoic tannins are balanced by lively, persistent acidity. — Danielle Callegari

VINOUS 96 points
Drinking Window 2027 - 2040
From: Exploring New Releases from Coastal Tuscany (Aug 2023)
The 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is a rich, resonant wine that captures the natural radiance of the Tuscan Coast. Blackberry jam, mocha, plum, chocolate, spice and espresso all build in a mid-weight yet succulent, inviting Bolgheri red. There's terrific richness and resonance here. This is a classic Guado al Tasso.
In 2020, the estate did not make its top bottling, the 100% Cabernet Franc Matarocchio, opting to use that fruit for Guado al Tasso. "Late season rains were challenging for the Cabernet Sauvignon, so we chose to use all our best Franc in Guado al Tasso," CEO Renzo Cotarella explained. - By Antonio Galloni on August 2023

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
Aromas of black olives, berries, herbs, red beans, sour cherries, and sage follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. It’s flavorful and intense. Needs time to come together. Best after 2027.

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Aldo Fiordelli
(at Tuscany, 01 Jul 2023)
Part of Bolgheri 2020: Vintage overview and top-scoring wines
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035
‘This is not the best possible Guado al Tasso, but it's the best we could do in vintages like this,’ commented Antinori CEO, Renzo Cotarella. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly lighter in this vintage due to the rainfalls of September.’ Dense purple in the glass, the 2020 offers a complex bouquet of cassis, earthy forest floor, wild Mediterranean herbs and intense dried eucalyptus leaf. Density and extraction dance in an embrace on a palate that's full of concentration, youth and precision. The tannins are velvety, the acidity natural and crisp, and the use of oak well judged. The finish is focused on graphite minerality, for an enticing yet ageworthy Superiore.