Guado Al Tasso 2018

The Wine

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complexity and elegance of the Bolgheri terroir. This wine has been produced since 1990 from vineyards on alluvial soils whose composition ranges from clay-sand to clay-loam with rocky deposits know as “scheletro”.

The Bolgheri Amphitheater

The Guado al Tasso estate’s most characteristic geographic feature is the Bolgheri Amphitheater, a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. The shape of the territory creates a unique microclimate with beneficial temperature fluctuations. The estate’s vineyards are located at the foot of the amphitheater, an optimal position as cold nocturnal breezes cool down the vines. These particular climatic conditions give the grapes pronounced aromas and guarantee a perfect ripening of the berries.

Tenuta Guado Al Tasso

The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the small but prestigious Bolgheri DOC, on the coast of upper Maremma, about one hundred kilometers southwest from Florence. This appellation has a relatively recent history, DOC Bolgheri was approved in 1995 and since then it has become an internationally recognized reference point for the Italian and international winemaking arena. The estate covers an area of 320 hectares (790 acres) planted with vines, set in a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides known as the "Bolgheri Amphitheatre" due to its particular shape. The vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino Nero and Bianco. The nearby sea provides a mild climate with constant breezes that mitigate summer heat and alleviate harsh winter weather, maintaining a clear sky and a high level of sunlight exposure.

Soil

Alluvial in origin, soils vary from sandy-clay to silty-clay and in some areas good presence of very fine gravel called scheletro (also known as agglomerate from Bolgheri).

Climate

The 2018 vintage’s growing season saw frequent rain showers especially during winter and springtime. These climatic conditions abundantly replenished groundwater reserves that were significantly depleted after the drier 2017 season. Bud break was delayed by about one week compared to seasonal averages. Summer trends proceeded normally with hot, dry weather creating ideal conditions for a slow, steady ripening phase. September, with virtually no rainfall at all, was dominated by temperatures higher than 2017 however were affected by cooler nights. Harvest time was slightly later for Merlot, picking went from September 5th through the 22nd; and was right on schedule for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, harvested between September 15th and October 5th.

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