The 2021 Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri is a proprietary red blend hailing from Tuscany's Bolgheri region in Italy. Produced by Antinori, this vintage is known for its nuanced complexity and exceptional craftsmanship, as highlighted by several top-tier wine reviewers.
Vinous awarded this wine an impressive 98 points, noting its departure from its traditionally powerful style to a more refined elegance. The review highlights its "silky tannins" and vibrant flavors of "black cherry fruit, licorice, spice, mocha, and new leather," underpinned by "bright, saline undertones." The inclusion of more Cabernet Franc in the blend has enhanced its aromatic profile, resulting in a "gorgeous" finish.
James Suckling praises the wine's "ultra-fine tannins" and "gorgeous sophistication," scoring it 97 points. He describes the wine as medium-bodied with a harmonious blend of "currant, dark chocolate, and hazelnut" flavors, emphasizing its long-lasting finish and suggesting that it will improve with a few more years of aging.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a commendable 95 points, detailing its composition of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 29% Cabernet Franc. This vintage benefits from a unique growing season that contributed to a "determined mouthfeel" with notes of "plummy fruit, baked blackberry, and sweet spice." The addition of a "spot of much-needed minerality" and hints of mint enhances its fresh profile.
Wine Spectator also gave it 97 points, highlighting its "pedigree and purity" through aromas of "black currant, blackberry, pomegranate, violet, and wild herb." The review underscores its finesse, harmony, and a long finish enriched with "fruit, mineral, cedar, licorice, and spice notes."
Overall, the 2021 Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri is celebrated for its refined balance, aromatic complexity, and potential for aging, embodying a shift towards elegance while maintaining its rich Tuscan heritage.