Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore 2016 Magnum
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Winery: Guado al Tasso
Vintage: 2016
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Drinking window: 2020 - 2045
Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany
Production: 120.000 bottles, which 3341 magnums
THE ITALIAN GRAPE (99)
The best vintage of the Guado al Tasso superiore without any doubt. 2016 is already going down in Tuscany as one of the best vintages ever, and in my opinion that is also the case for the Guado al Tasso Superiore. Beautiful Bordeaux blend with mainly Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, just over 60%. This year the Petit Verdot was left out of the blend, and I think that completes the wine. It is complex, continues to develop with lots of leather and vanilla in the nose and very nice soft tannins considering its age. This is a top Bordeaux blend that will show unprecedented class after the 10 year mark. Wait until 2026 and you will have a lot of fun drinking this wine!
ROBERT PARKER (98)
This stunning vintage of this landmark wine marks a slight adjustment to the blend. The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Guado Al Tasso is no longer made with Petit Verdot. The blend is now 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and now 20% Cabernet Franc. This small change does not go unnoticed, as this wine is absolutely seamless now—like the finest Asian silk fabric. That profound textural softness and suppleness changes the way the wine smells and tastes, with hints of momentary sweetness that are more tactile than anything else. Generally speaking, the 2016 vintage offers more elegance (slightly less concentration) and a hair more freshness compared to the 2015 edition. When I tasted this wine, the bouquet was still timid, but it will no doubt become more expressive and open as this beautiful wine continues forward along its aging trajectory. Some 120,000 bottles were made, a remarkable feat considering the extreme quality on offer.
JAMES SUCKLING (98)
Beautiful center palate of fruit here with ripe and silky tannins that are resolved and fine-grained. Full-bodied, polished and ever so refined. Oyster shell, stone and hints of rosemary and lavender. Driven finish.
About the wine
Since 1990, Guado al Tasso estate has crafted a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and occasionally Petit Verdot, reflecting the complexity and elegance of Bolgheri terroir. The vineyards, nestled in alluvial soils with rocky deposits known as "scheletro," benefit from the Bolgheri Amphitheater's unique microclimate, characterized by cool nocturnal breezes. This optimal environment ensures pronounced aromas and perfect ripening of the grapes.
The label shows the Della Gherardesca family symbol. It honors the people who used to own the estate. The estate was owned by the Gherardesca family until 1930 when the Antinori family acquired it. Renowned as a pillar of the DOC Bolgheri, Guado al Tasso epitomizes the essence of "super Tuscans," producing wines with a distinctly Mediterranean character—powerful, elegant, and balanced. Each vintage, varying percentages of grapes, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with additions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Syrah, undergo classic Bordeaux-style aging in new barriques for approximately 14 months.
The 2016 vintage saw a mild winter with occasional yet plentiful rainfall, aiding in building substantial groundwater reserves in the sub-soil. The vine growth cycle commenced slightly earlier than usual and progressed steadily through a sunny spring with temperatures and rainfall within seasonal norms. Summer brought warmth without extreme peaks in temperature. Grape ripening benefited from sunny days, minimal rainfall, and cool evenings, enhancing the development of aromatic components while preserving freshness, essential for producing elegant and long-lasting grapes. Harvesting commenced with Merlot on September 5th, followed by Cabernet Franc in mid-September, and concluded with Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5th.
