Guado Al Tasso 2018
Introduction
Guado al Tasso 2018 is a flagship Bolgheri Superiore DOC wine produced by the Antinori family at their Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate in the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. This vintage is notable for a shift in composition; because the estate’s top 100% Cabernet Franc wine (Matarocchio) was not produced in 2018, its high-quality fruit was blended into this wine instead. The result is an exceptionally polished and elegant expression that emphasizes finesse over the raw power found in warmer years like 2017.
Wine Description
The 2018 vintage is defined by its "crystalline" purity and a sophisticated, slightly more herbal and balsamic profile compared to previous releases.
Varietal Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Merlot.
Aromatic Profile: The nose opens with captivating notes of small dark fruits, ripe plum, and elderberry. These are layered with "sweet spices," licorice root, leather, tobacco, and a distinct "magnificent balsamic trace." Critics also note a leafy, almost herbal character and scents of crushed stones.
Palate and Body: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remains agile and "gracious." It offers a silky and voluminous entry with flavors of blackcurrant, chocolate, and cedar. The texture is dense yet vibrant, moving away from a heavy style toward one of linearity and sharpness.
Structure: The tannins are described as "totally integrated" and silky, providing a refined frame. The finish is juicy and persistent, marked by a touch of citrus zest and a graphite minerality that reflects the estate’s alluvial soils.
Winemaking: Grapes were sorted twice to ensure only perfectly ripe berries were used. Each parcel was fermented separately in stainless steel vats for 15 to 20 days. The wine was then aged in new French oak barriques until bottling in April 2020.
ABV: 14%.
Accolades
The 2018 vintage has been widely praised for its elegance and "umami-like" complexity:
James Suckling: 96 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 96 points
Decanter: 96 points
Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 95+ points
Falstaff: 95 points
Wine Spectator: 93 points
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
Introduction
Guado al Tasso 2018 is a flagship Bolgheri Superiore DOC wine produced by the Antinori family at their Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate in the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. This vintage is notable for a shift in composition; because the estate’s top 100% Cabernet Franc wine (Matarocchio) was not produced in 2018, its high-quality fruit was blended into this wine instead. The result is an exceptionally polished and elegant expression that emphasizes finesse over the raw power found in warmer years like 2017.
Wine Description
The 2018 vintage is defined by its "crystalline" purity and a sophisticated, slightly more herbal and balsamic profile compared to previous releases.
Varietal Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Merlot.
Aromatic Profile: The nose opens with captivating notes of small dark fruits, ripe plum, and elderberry. These are layered with "sweet spices," licorice root, leather, tobacco, and a distinct "magnificent balsamic trace." Critics also note a leafy, almost herbal character and scents of crushed stones.
Palate and Body: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remains agile and "gracious." It offers a silky and voluminous entry with flavors of blackcurrant, chocolate, and cedar. The texture is dense yet vibrant, moving away from a heavy style toward one of linearity and sharpness.
Structure: The tannins are described as "totally integrated" and silky, providing a refined frame. The finish is juicy and persistent, marked by a touch of citrus zest and a graphite minerality that reflects the estate’s alluvial soils.
Winemaking: Grapes were sorted twice to ensure only perfectly ripe berries were used. Each parcel was fermented separately in stainless steel vats for 15 to 20 days. The wine was then aged in new French oak barriques until bottling in April 2020.
ABV: 14%.
Accolades
The 2018 vintage has been widely praised for its elegance and "umami-like" complexity:
James Suckling: 96 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 96 points
Decanter: 96 points
Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 95+ points
Falstaff: 95 points
Wine Spectator: 93 points
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
Original: $220.41
-65%$220.41
$77.14Description
Introduction
Guado al Tasso 2018 is a flagship Bolgheri Superiore DOC wine produced by the Antinori family at their Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate in the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. This vintage is notable for a shift in composition; because the estate’s top 100% Cabernet Franc wine (Matarocchio) was not produced in 2018, its high-quality fruit was blended into this wine instead. The result is an exceptionally polished and elegant expression that emphasizes finesse over the raw power found in warmer years like 2017.
Wine Description
The 2018 vintage is defined by its "crystalline" purity and a sophisticated, slightly more herbal and balsamic profile compared to previous releases.
Varietal Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Merlot.
Aromatic Profile: The nose opens with captivating notes of small dark fruits, ripe plum, and elderberry. These are layered with "sweet spices," licorice root, leather, tobacco, and a distinct "magnificent balsamic trace." Critics also note a leafy, almost herbal character and scents of crushed stones.
Palate and Body: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remains agile and "gracious." It offers a silky and voluminous entry with flavors of blackcurrant, chocolate, and cedar. The texture is dense yet vibrant, moving away from a heavy style toward one of linearity and sharpness.
Structure: The tannins are described as "totally integrated" and silky, providing a refined frame. The finish is juicy and persistent, marked by a touch of citrus zest and a graphite minerality that reflects the estate’s alluvial soils.
Winemaking: Grapes were sorted twice to ensure only perfectly ripe berries were used. Each parcel was fermented separately in stainless steel vats for 15 to 20 days. The wine was then aged in new French oak barriques until bottling in April 2020.
ABV: 14%.
Accolades
The 2018 vintage has been widely praised for its elegance and "umami-like" complexity:
James Suckling: 96 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 96 points
Decanter: 96 points
Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 95+ points
Falstaff: 95 points
Wine Spectator: 93 points
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
