MARCHESI ANTINORI 'Guado al Tasso' Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2021 Bottle

Description

The 2021 Guado al Tasso, receiving 98 points from Vinous, showcases a refined evolution in style, emphasising finesse over power. This wine features silky tannins that envelop a core of black cherry, liquorice, spice, mocha, and new leather, with bright, saline undertones enhancing the exquisite finish. James Suckling awarded it 97 points for its ultra-fine tannins and a medium-bodied profile, balancing currant, dark chocolate, and hazelnut, leading to a long, sophisticated finish. Decanter praises its beautiful coolness, with black and blue fruits intertwined with balsam and menthol. The Wine Advocate highlights the forward thrust of plummy fruit, baked blackberry, and a touch of minerality, promising excellent ageing potential and an enjoyable drinking window from 2025 to 2045.

*****

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.

VINOUS 98 points
Drinking Window 2026 - 2041
From: New Releases from the Tuscan Maremma (Dec 2024)
The 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is a very beautiful wine, but also quite a departure from the style that made it famous years ago. Readers will find an especially polished Guado al Tasso, a wine that emphasizes finesse more than power. Silky tannins wrap around a core of black cherry fruit, licorice, spice, mocha and new leather. Bright, saline undertones extend the exquisite finish. There's more Cabernet Franc in the blend these days, and that very much comes through in the wine's crazy aromatic presence and feel. The 2021 spent 16 months in wood, three months in used French oak barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 14 months in barrel (80% new) for the rest of its aging. Gorgeous. - By Antonio Galloni on December 2024

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
This is really well crafted, with ultra-fine tannins that spread across the palate. It’s medium-bodied with a balance of currant, dark chocolate and hazelnut character. It’s so long and persistent, with gorgeous sophistication and unctuousness at the finish. Extremely well done. Drinkable now, but event better in two or three years.

DECANTER 96 points
Tasted by: James Button
(at Windsor, 16 Aug 2024)
Part of Bolgheri 2021: Overview of a milestone vintage and top-scorers
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2041
There's a beautiful coolness here, with black and blue fruits mingling with powerful balsam and menthol, sous bois and damp earth. Slick and glossy, vertical and tight, it's still very tightly coiled and demands time in the bottle. Bright acidity pierces through, and ripe forest berries emerge on the finish. So good.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2025 - 2045
The Marchesi Antinori 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc from a hot year that also benefited from better underground water reserves because 2020 actually saw quite a bit of rain in Bolgheri and that moisture carried over. This wine is all forward thrust as a result, with a determined mouthfeel pushed over the palate thanks to plummy fruit, baked blackberry and sweet spice. The wine gracefully adds a spot of much-needed minerality that adds to the sensations of freshness. There is even some mint that livens up the mouthfeel.