The 2017 Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri is a proprietary blend from Tuscany, Italy, with a composition of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Merlot. This red wine, produced by Antinori, is known for its rich and darkly concentrated fruit, a characteristic attributed to the warm and sunny vintage of 2017. It features a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine an impressive score of 97, describing it as a "teaser and a super pleaser." The reviewer emphasized the wine's "beautifully saturated and rich color" and noted its immediate harmony and intensity. The blend's seamless integration and full-bodied nature were highlighted, making it a standout in this vintage. The review also mentioned the vineyard's low elevation near the sea and its alluvial soils as contributing factors to the wine's quality.
James Suckling also rated the 2017 Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri a 97, commending it for its "powerful fruit and tannins" and "intense vanilla to the underlying ripe currants and blackberries." He described the wine as "full-bodied, very tight and polished," suggesting that it would benefit from additional aging, recommending consumption after 2022 for optimal enjoyment.
Wine Spectator gave the wine a 93, pointing out its concentrated black currant and blackberry flavors, complemented by notes of iron, black pepper, bell pepper, and oak spice. While the tannins are assertive, overshadowing the fruit on the finish currently, the reviewer noted the wine's vibrancy and long finish. The blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, with a recommended drinking window from 2022 through 2033.
Wine Enthusiast rated the wine 96, praising its savory and enveloping aromas of woodland berry, Mediterranean scrub, and menthol. The palate is described as delicious and full-bodied, offering juicy black cherry, ripe blackberry, and star anise, followed by an espresso finish. The review highlighted the wine's polished, velvety tannins, suggesting it can be enjoyed through 2029.
Overall, the 2017 Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri is a highly regarded wine, with excellent reviews from top wine critics, making it a notable choice for enthusiasts of robust and well-integrated red wines.