Antinori Guado al Tasso Cont' Ugo Bolgheri 2020

Antinori Guado al Tasso Cont' Ugo Bolgheri 2020

 

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Antinori
Guado al Tasso Cont' Ugo Bolgheri 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Rich and Spicy
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Merlot

Antinori Guado al Tasso Cont’Ugo 2020 is a bold and expressive single-varietal Merlot from the Bolgheri DOC, crafted to offer a fresh perspective on this celebrated terroir. Combining elegance and complexity, this wine is a testament to the unique character of Bolgheri’s vineyards.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 94 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2020
RP Robert Parker 90 2020
WS Wine Spectator 93 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2018
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the Bolgheri DOC, a small yet globally renowned appellation on Tuscany’s Upper Maremma coast, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Florence. This region, with its distinctive “Bolgheri amphitheater”, is characterized by a plain encircled by gently rolling hills, which creates a natural microclimate ideal for viticulture.

The vineyards for Cont’Ugo are situated at altitudes between 45 and 60 meters above sea level, primarily on clayey-loam soils of alluvial origin. These conditions are perfect for nurturing Merlot, offering both depth and aromatic richness. The proximity to the Mediterranean Sea ensures mild climatic conditions, with cooling breezes that mitigate summer heat and clear skies during winter, promoting balanced grape ripening. The 2020 growing season saw a mix of challenges and rewards, including a mild winter, hot and dry summer, and well-timed rains in September, all of which contributed to exceptional fruit quality.

Winemaking

Cont’Ugo 2020 is crafted exclusively from Merlot, harvested between September 3rd and 30th, based on the ripeness of individual vineyard parcels. The grapes were handpicked and meticulously sorted before undergoing fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Fermentation temperatures ranged from low temperatures to enhance aromatic freshness to 30 °C (86 °F) to maximize phenolic extraction and structure.

Following fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation by the end of the year, split between stainless steel tanks and barriques. The finest lots were blended and aged for 12 months in barriques, with 10% new oak and 90% second-fill barrels, before being bottled. To ensure harmony and balance, the wine rested in the bottle for an additional 3 months before its release.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Intense ruby red.
  • Aroma: Vibrant notes of ripe red fruits such as cherries and raspberries, complemented by balsamic hints of Mediterranean scrub and subtle herbaceous nuances.
  • Palate: A velvety entry leads to a full-bodied palate, with rich, persistent flavors of fruit and herbs. The finish is fruity and delightfully balanced.

Did You Know?

Cont’Ugo was developed to highlight a unique interpretation of Bolgheri’s terroir through the lens of Merlot, a variety less commonly showcased as a single varietal in the region. Its name, “Cont’Ugo,” evokes a personal and distinctive connection to this exceptional wine.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Porcini mushroom risotto: The wine’s richness complements the earthy flavors and creamy texture of the dish.
  • Beef tenderloin with rosemary potatoes: Its structure and balsamic notes harmonize with the savory and herbaceous components.
  • Grilled lamb chops with mint sauce: The wine’s fruit and herbal elements pair beautifully with the lamb’s tenderness and mint’s freshness.
  • Aged Pecorino cheese: The intense flavors of the cheese are balanced by the wine’s freshness and fruity finish.

History of Antinori

In 1385, the Antinori family became part of the wine business when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Vintner's Guild.

Since 1966, Marchese Piero Antinori, son of Marchese Niccolò, has run the company with his daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, also playing an active role.

For more than 26 generations now, Antinori's philosophy has been based on the combination of both tradition and innovation: to preserve Italy's enological traditions and to experiment innovation in winemaking, giving each wine tester the pleasure of discovering a unique alliance.

Vineyards

Each of Antinori's vineyards and estates has its own individual character, its own history and its own universe perceived and discovered in the tasting of each of their fine wines.

Badia a Passignano

Antinori's vineyards for red wine are mostly located in Tuscany, in the area of Chianti Classico where it owns three estates, total 575 acres: Tignanello, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano.

White wine is produced in Umbria in the Orvieto Classico region, at Castello della Sala estate, and in Tuscany at Monteloro estate.

Red wine comes from the Montepulciano, Bolgheri, Montalcino, Castiglione della Pescaia and Sovana areas.

Besides Tuscany and Umbria, Antinori is also present in Lombardy, Piedmont, Apulia, California, Washington State, Hungary and Malta where it produces both red and white wines.

The Tignanello and Solaia Estate - The uniqueness of a land and the history of a great wine

The Tignanello estate is a total of 319 hectares in size of which 127 hectares are planted with vines. In particular, two vineyards are real treasures:

  • Solaia: 20 hectares
  • Tignanello: 57 hectares

The area is very particular due to the high altitude being over 400 metres above sea level, the vineyards having a southwest exposure to the sun, the microclimate and the soil, which is marine loam based with a rich addition of alberese and galestro rock dating back to the Eocene and Miocene eras.

Viticulture

The growing season here is characterized by hot days and cool nights.

In the early 1970ies, the Tignanello estate was, to some extent, the viticultural research ground for Antinori. Investigations into vine growing concentrated on the improvement of the grapes to obtain a higher concentration and softer tannins. This was achieved through planting density, foliage control and selection of the Cabernet and Sangiovese.

In the oenological field, the goals were to achieve wines with a well-defined character.

This was accomplished by a rigorous selection of the grapes during harvest and when received at the winery, gentle crushing of the grapes with as little stress as possible, and by allowing malolactic fermentation to occur in barrel.

When the first production of Solaia began, more than thirty years ago, the grapes came from a plot of land that was within the larger Tignanello vineyard. The same particular characteristics as the original vineyard, such as the altitude, the soil type and the good exposure to the sun (hence the name Solaia), are also found in a nearby vineyard. This vineyard has been integrated into the original vineyard since 1997.

Currently, the Solaia vineyard is 20 hectares and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (15 hectares), Cabernet Franc (1 hectare) and Sangiovese (4 hectares) with an average age of 15 years.

The density per hectare varies from a minimum of 5,500 to a maximum of 7,200 and the low-spurred cordon training system is used. Over the years, there has been a progressive renewal of the Solaia vineyard. This has been accomplished by utilizing the many years of knowledge and ever-increasing experience of the estate's land to highlight the personality of Solaia.

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2020)
A fresh, tight and structured merlot with vibrant notes of olives, red plums, cherries, tobacco, orange zest and stones. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins. Lots of energy. 100% merlot. Drink after 2023.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2020)
Spicy and peppery on the nose with new leather and graphite, this wine also offers wildflowers and berries. The palate echoes the nose but reveals more depth, with coffee, earthiness and richer fruit. Firm but flexible tannins and healthy acid provide the contours for a lengthy finish.

Robert Parker (RP) : 90 Points (2020)
The Guado al Tasso 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Cont'Ugo is a pure expression of Merlot that has absorbed the ripeness and softness of this hot vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc have a proven track record in these ever-more frequent warm vintages along the Tuscan coast, but early-ripening Merlot can sometimes come off as too ripe and jammy. This wine walks a fine line, and although it never shows excessive softness, you have to wonder how much further it can be pushed in light of climate change. Dark cherry and blackberry preserves cede to cedar and baking spice. The mouthfeel is round, soft and creamy.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 93 Points (2019)
A vibrant, succulent red, boasting black currant, blackberry, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf aromas and flavors. Focused and firmly structured, offset by a supple texture. Shows fine balance and length. Merlot. Drink now through 2028.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2018)
The 2018 Cont’Ugo is a gorgeous wine that captures the essence of this coolish year on the Tuscan coast. The juiciness of Bolgheri Merlot is nicely tempered by the moderate year. Sweet dark cherry, mocha, spice and leather all meld together in this gracious red from Antinori’s Guado al Tasso estate. I would give the tannins a year or two to soften.

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