Guado al Tasso 2021

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 Last Tuesday I was at a wine fair promoted by one of the biggest German wine importers at one of the premium hotels in Hamburg. With a strong focus on gastronomy and small shops it was quite a mixed public, quite different in many ways to the habitués of masterclasses.

Besides the tremendous offer, there was a couple of episodes which are still living inside me and that I would like to share. 

The first one, I was at a South African stand and a man behind me pushed me and screamed to the person behind the stand that he wanted to try the Shyraz. I have quickly shared with him that he should try the amazing Pinotage before the Shyraz as it was surprisingly light and fruit driven. As an answer I got a lecture on how he was working for more than 50 years in the wine business and that there was nothing I could teach him about it. I have smiled and moved away.

On another stand I have asked the person responsible for it if the Ribera del Duero that I was trying was a single graped Tempranillo. She has confirmed it, but has not waited to tell me that it was called Tinta del País in the area and that I should use the right nomination. I have apologized and said that I also know that it is called Tinta de Toro not too far away from Ribera and that, for me, it is called Tinta Roriz in case she wanted to be so extremely picky about names. 

But do not get me wrong. I have met incredibly interesting people and had amazing talks about wine with a lot of them. One of them was not the responsible for the Antinori stand which has served me the 2001 Guado al Tasso.

Even though she was pretty unfriendly (maybe as a reaction to my feeble efforts of speaking Italian?), the wine was absolutely amazing. 

Coming from one of the premium areas in Tuscany, Bolgheri, it has shown a tremendous depth, high concentration enrolled in a strong blood and iron coat.

With mature black berries dominating the wine, there was coffee and tobacco notes revealing a good ripeness beginning, promising a great development in the coming years. The most surprising thing about it was that it has managed to conquer my palate and show itself very present even after having tried a 50 Year old Port.  And that is saying a lot about the profundity and character of what can be seen as one of the best examples of what Bolgheri has to offer. 

If you can get a hand on one of this, do not hesitate. It helps you forget all your surroundings and transport you to a unique experience.

 

19/20
Country: Italy  
Region: Tuscany
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
14,5%
Winemaker: n/a

Website: https://www.antinori.it/en/vino/guado-al-tasso-en?wineyear=2021

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