TENUTA GUADO AL TASSO 'Matarocchio' by Antinori - Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2016 Bottle

Description

The 2016 Matarocchio from Marchesi Antinori is a remarkable expression of pure Cabernet Franc, earning 98 points from both Decanter and Vinous. It displays a stunning aromatic complexity, featuring notes of dark berries, powdered chocolate, and exotic spices. The palate is rich and enveloping, showcasing excellent tension and a long, fresh finish with a spicy character. Decanter describes it as finessed and vibrant, with floral-edged black and blue fruits mingling beautifully with menthol and chocolate. The Wine Advocate highlights its muscular profile, layered with dark fruits, leather, and tar, while emphasising its agility, making it ideal for pairing with robust dishes like barbecued T-bone steak. This exceptional vintage promises enjoyment from 2025 to 2055, reflecting its outstanding quality and craftsmanship.

*****

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.

MATAROCCHIO
Matarocchio is a highly esteemed wine produced by the Marchesi Antinori estate in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Italy. This wine is crafted using predominantly Cabernet Franc grapes, showcasing the unique characteristics of the terroir in which it is grown.

Matarocchio is known for its elegant profile and complexity, often exhibiting rich flavors of dark berries, plums, and spices, along with herbal and floral notes. The wine undergoes meticulous vinification, including traditional fermentation methods and aging in high-quality French oak barrels, which contribute to its depth and refinement.

With limited production, Guado al Tasso Matarocchio has gained acclaim for its exceptional quality, making it a sought-after choice among wine enthusiasts and collectors looking for outstanding Tuscan wines that reflect both craftsmanship and terroir.

"Matarocchio 2016 shows a great aromatic complexity with notes of dark berry fruit which alternate with sensations of powdered chocolate, exotic spices, and toasted coffee. The palate is an enveloping one, rich, one of excellent tension and of long persistence on the finish and aftertaste." - Tenuta Guado al Tasso

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: James Button
(at Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2025, London, 08 Nov 2025)
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2055
2016 is a superstar vintage in many parts of Italy, the result of a balanced growing season. Here in Bolgheri, Matarocchio 2016 shows at its best; finessed, bright, crunchy and vibrant. Lifted floral-edged black and blue berries, spice, menthol and chocolate mingle in the mouth, supported by powdery tannins and a long, fresh and spicy finish. Very good now but could be great in time.

VINOUS 98 points
Drinking Window 2022 - 2041
From: Tuscany New Releases, Part 1 (Mar 2020)
The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Matarocchio, the estate's pure Cabernet Franc, is stunning. Dark, sumptuous and super-expressive, the 2016 is a seamless, exotic beauty. Even with all of its richness, the 2016 remains finessed and nuanced to the core, with exceptional balance and tons of energy. This vibrant Bolgheri Cabernet Franc will drink well for many years. - By Antonio Galloni on July 2019

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Date: 2021 - 2045
The 2016 Matarocchio is a wine of muscle and brawn that opens to dark thickness and deep layers of black fruit, spice, leather and tar. If you like big and bold, this Tuscan Cabernet Franc will prove quite agile when pairing with coal-fired barbecued T-bone steak. This wine was produced in 2017, but it was not made in 2018 because the variety had a hard time reaching optimal ripeness. This full-bodied wine is absolutely linear and direct in terms of aromas; however, it shows fleshy succulence in terms of mouthfeel. It closes with midnight black notes of dried berry and exotic spice.
Published: May 16, 2019