Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso is a masterclass in Bolgheri elegance, characterized by its refined energy and a distinct aromatic lift thanks to a significant 25% Cabernet Franc component. On the nose, it offers an alluring mix of black plums, licorice, and mocha, accented by sophisticated notes of dried mint and crushed graphite. The palate is full-bodied and seamless, trading raw power for a velvety, linear structure and a savory, mineral-driven finish that lingers with hints of toasted spice. Currently entering its ideal drinking window, this vintage is celebrated by critics as a benchmark for its precision and "cool" Mediterranean character, though it still benefits from a two-hour decant to fully unfurl its complex layers.
Winery History
While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.
