Antinori, Guado al Tasso 1995

Antinori Guado al Tasso 1995 is an early and increasingly rare vintage from Marchesi Antinori’s celebrated Bolgheri estate, crafted at the dawn of the Super Tuscan movement that reshaped Tuscany’s global reputation. Blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it offers a Bordeaux-inspired structure anchored firmly in the sun‑drenched, maritime terroir of the Tuscan coast. This 1995 release captures a classic, balanced year in Bolgheri, now showing the complexity and elegance that only careful cellaring over decades can deliver.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1995 Guado al Tasso shows a deep garnet core with brick‑tinged reflections at the rim, a clear sign of its graceful evolution in bottle. The nose is layered and refined, opening with blackcurrant and plum compote, followed by dried Mediterranean herbs, cedar, tobacco leaf, and hints of graphite and pencil shavings. Subtle notes of leather, undergrowth and sweet spices emerge with air, adding further nuance. On the palate, this is a full-bodied yet beautifully resolved wine, where once-firm tannins have melted into a silky, polished texture. Flavors of cassis, dark cherry and dried red fruits intertwine with cedar, cigar box, savory herbs and a touch of truffle. The acidity remains lively, giving freshness and definition to a long, persistent finish marked by tertiary notes of leather, earth, and warm spices. At this stage, the 1995 is at or near its peak, drinking beautifully now. Well-stored bottles can continue to offer pleasure for a few more years, but its main reward lies in appreciating its current maturity and complexity.

Production
Guado al Tasso is grown in the Bolgheri DOC, just a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, where warm, sunny days are tempered by cool nights and constant maritime breezes. The vineyards sit on predominantly sandy clay soils with gravel and limestone inclusions, a combination that promotes good drainage while contributing to the wine’s finesse, mineral undertones and ripe fruit expression. In 1995, a steady growing season with moderate heat and a dry autumn yielded Cabernet-based grapes with admirable concentration and freshness. The grapes were harvested by hand with strict selection and vinified separately by variety in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with extended maceration to extract color, structure and aromatic depth. After blending, the wine was aged for about 18 months in French oak barriques, approximately 80% new, before further refinement in bottle prior to release.

Food & Serving
This mature Bolgheri red is a natural partner for refined, savory dishes: think bistecca alla fiorentina, roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, braised beef cheeks, or slow-cooked veal shanks. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, or well-aged Comté, and with earthy preparations featuring mushrooms or truffles. Serve at 16–18 °C, and for best expression, decant gently for about 1.5–2 hours to allow the evolved bouquet to fully unfold and any sediment to settle. Use large Bordeaux-style glasses to highlight the wine’s aromatic complexity and softened structure.

Producer
Marchesi Antinori is one of Italy’s most historic and influential wine families, with a lineage in viticulture and winemaking dating back to 1385. Long known as innovators in Tuscany, Antinori were among the pioneers of the Super Tuscan movement, challenging traditional rules with blends and techniques that elevated the region’s international standing. The Guado al Tasso estate in Bolgheri, acquired by the family in the 20th century, quickly became a reference point for coastal Tuscan reds, showcasing how Bordeaux varieties could thrive in the maritime terroir. Over the years, Guado al Tasso has earned critical acclaim and helped cement Bolgheri’s reputation as one of Italy’s premier sources of world‑class Cabernet-based wines.

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