Vintage

Bolgheri experienced a long drought from June through September during the 2021 growing season. However, heavy winter rain replenished groundwater reserves in the deep soils that characterise this territory. The vines retained enough soil moisture throughout the entire growing cycle. Cool spring weather delayed bud break and flowering slightly. Summer temperatures stayed moderate and supported steady, gradual ripening across each vineyard parcel. The vines produced whole, perfectly healthy berries. The harvest began with Merlot in early September. The team picked Cabernet Franc in mid-September and completed the harvest with Cabernet Sauvignon at month-end. All three varieties showed exceptional fruit concentration and extract, confirming 2021 as a superb vintage.

Vinification

The cellar team sorted the grapes twice on arrival. They sorted them before destemming and again immediately afterwards. This process ensured that only perfectly ripe berries reached the fermentation vats. Following tradition, the team divided each vineyard parcel into smaller blocks. They harvested each block separately, according to climate trends and each grape variety’s character. They also fermented each block separately. Fermentation and maceration took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for 15 to 20 days. After racking, the team transferred the wine directly into barriques. Malolactic fermentation finished in those barriques by the end of the year. In February, the winemaking team selected wine from the best vineyard blocks. They then created the final blend. The team transferred Guado al Tasso into new French oak barriques for ageing. The wine aged there until bottling in July 2023.

Historical Data

Marchesi Antinori first produced Guado al Tasso in 1990. Through this wine, the estate deepened its understanding and interpretation of Bolgheri. It also helped transform this terroir’s potential into a globally recognised identity. The name evokes Bolgheri’s past, when natural fords and untamed landscapes shaped the area. The blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. These grapes come from vineyards at the foot of the Bolgheri amphitheatre. The proportions change each vintage to reflect the territory and the year’s character. Guado al Tasso expresses a mosaic of terroir through intensity, balance and refined tannins.

Tenuta Guado Al Tasso

The Guado al Tasso estate lies in the small, prestigious Bolgheri DOC. This appellation sits on the upper Maremma coast, about one hundred kilometres southwest of Florence. Bolgheri DOC has a relatively recent history. Authorities approved DOC Bolgheri in 1995. Since then, it has become an international reference point for Italian and global winemaking. The estate covers 320 hectares, or 790 acres, of planted vineyards. These vineyards sit on a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides. Local people call this formation the Bolgheri Amphitheatre because of its distinctive shape. The estate grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino Nero and Bianco. It also cultivates small amounts of Grenache, Petit Verdot, Viognier and Sémillon. The nearby sea creates a mild climate with constant breezes. These breezes reduce summer heat and soften harsh winter weather. They also help maintain clear skies and high levels of sunlight exposure.

To learn more visit Marchesi Antinori or the website here.