2020 Guado al Tasso

THE WINE

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complexity and elegance of the Bolgheri terroir.

CLIMATE

Mild winter weather and occasional rain showers defined the beginning of the 2020 growing season. An unexpected cold snap struck the area in March with one frost event at the end of the month however no significant damage was caused except in several of the younger vineyard blocks of Cabernet Franc, which typically goes through bud burst precociously. These climatic conditions resulted in a slight drop in yields but did not adversely affect the quality of the fruit.

Temperatures began to rise mid-April and the spring season progressed normally ensuring good flowering and fruit set, which took place between the end of May and the beginning of June. Overall, summer was hot and dry without extreme heat events.

The fourth week of September brought cool temperatures and occasional light rain showers that lasted until October providing optimal temperature swings between day and night.

The grape harvest began on September 4th with Merlot and continued with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon mid-September to the beginning of October.

VINEYARDS

Guado al Tasso’s hallmark is the ‘Bolgheri Amphitheater,’ a stunning plain nestled within rolling hills that opens to the Tyrrhenian Sea. This distinct topography creates a specialized microclimate; the amphitheater’s shape traps cool maritime breezes, ensuring significant daily temperature fluctuations. These conditions—paired with sandy-clay soils rich in fine gravel (agglomerate)—allow the grapes to achieve perfect, slow ripening while maintaining intense aromas and a distinct territorial identity.

WINEMAKING

Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes were sorted on two different occasions, once before destemming and again immediately after to guarantee that only perfectly ripe berries reached fermentation vats. Keeping with tradition, each single vineyard parcel was subdivided into smaller blocks and the grapes were harvested separately based on climate trends and individual characteristics of each grape variety and then fermented separately. Fermentation and maceration took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for 15 – 20 days. After racking operations, the wine was transferred directly into barriques where malolactic fermentation was completed by the end of the year. In February, wine from the very best vineyard blocks was selected and the final blend was made. Guado al Tasso was again transferred into new French oak barriques where it aged up until bottling in the month of June 2022.

HISTORY

The noble Della Gherardesca family began practicing viticulture in the late 1600’s on their land in Bolgheri, but things really began to change under the guidance of Guido Alberto Della Gherardesca (1780-1854). He was a passionate about viticulture. He was appointed majordomo of Grand Duke Leopold II and then dedicated himself to enology in his family’s land in Maremma.

In the 1930’s, the property was inherited by Carlotta Della Gherardesca Antinori (Piero Antinori’s mother) and her sister who was married to Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta (who received the nearby Tenuta San Guido).

TASTING NOTES

Guado al Tasso 2020 is intensely ruby red in color. The nose offers notes of small dark fruit, sweet spices, toasted oak, and forest floor. On the palate, tannins are extremely well balanced, refined, and persistent. This wine can be enjoyed immediately, perhaps even more so than the past vintage, but also has exceptional aging potential, an extended period of bottle aging allows the wine to evolve and improve over time.