The 2016 vintage in Tuscany is now reaching fever pitch, despite only a handful of releases, demand has outstripped not only the 2015 vintage but also the 2010! Indeed, it is a vintage embodying the profile of the extremely balanced years 2006, 2008 and 2010 – the modern greats. Today we are delighted to release Guado al Tasso, with its highest ever score of 98-99 points from James Suckling who calls it a ‘serious contender here for wine of the vintage’. It is yet unscored by the other leading critics, however this is already being viewed by the market as possibly the finest ever from this estate, Suckling asks ‘One of the best ever from here?’
Guado al Tasso is the prestigious flagship Bordeaux blend wine from Piero Antinori. It forms one third of his trinity of great wines Tignanello, Solaia and Guado al Tasso. However, Guado al Tasso unlike Tignanello and Solaia – which are located in Chianti Classico – is the family’s property located in the heartland of Super Tuscan coastal region of Bolgheri, a few minutes south of Sassicaia and Ornellaia. As such it has a wonderful climatic combination, benefiting from the coastal breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea, vineyard elevation and the interior hills. James Suckling has scored Guado al Tasso higher than Sassicaia 2016 (97-98 points), which was awarded 100 points from Monica Larner, only outscored from Suckling by Masseto 99-100 and Ornellaia which pips it with 99. Guado al Tasso 2016 will be viewed as one of the finest wines ever from Tuscany. In 2016 it has easily surpassed its familial Tignanello which was awarded 95 points from Suckling. Its price on release today is £395 per case of six, a 98-99 point scoring leading Bolgheri Estate at £66 a bottle is exceptional. A wine that will reward for decades and in the context of its brilliant pedigree and in this glorious vintage is simply unmissable.
Stylistically, Guado al Tasso straddles Solaia/Tignanello and the properties belonging to the other side of the Antinori family, Ornellaia and Masseto: a masterclass in winemaking. Like its siblings Solaia and Tignanello, all varietals are vinified separately and macerated in stainless steel tanks for 12-14 days then aged for 14 months in new French oak barriques. It produces around 8,750 cases per annum, 50% of Sassicaia and less than 30% of Tignanello.
Guado al Tasso fully expresses the Bolgheri terroir, fashioned with a defined structure, sublime complexity and elegance, yet rich and spicy. Guado al Tasso is defined by rich plum flavours, baritone black fruits, cassis along with cured meats and grilled herbs. It develops brilliant flavours of tobacco, chocolate mocha and espresso. This could be the finest ever.
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