Extraordinary intense ruby red in colour. Fruity, more of cherry than cassis, with hints of toast, coffee and dark chocolate. Finely structured and complex; balanced, with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Displays unmistakable varietal flavor while retaining strong regional character.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah and other red grape varieties.

Wine maker notes

The beginning of Spring was characterized by rainfalls and slightly above average seasonal temperatures which favored an early budding of the different varieties. The following weather conditions determined excellent flowering and setting, resulting in a full-balanced production .The excessive rainfalls which characterized most of the Summer, from mid July onwards, created some difficulties in the ripening of the grapes and their healthiness. Weather conditions were not stable during the last three weeks of harvest: favorable at the beginning (allowing the non-picked grapes to reach maturity) and characterized by rainfalls at the end. The 2002 harvest has been one of the most difficult of the past years. In some areas we had excellent quality-wise production while in other areas results were not satisfying mainly due to the unfavorable climate conditions. Merlot was harvested at the beginning of September, the Cabernet Sauvignonfrom mid September. After destemming and light crushing, the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were vinified separately; maceration took place in stainless steel tanks over a period of 15-20 days, during which time alcoholic fermentation was also completed, at a temperature never exceeding 30 °C. The resulting wine is rich in colour and very structured but soft on the palate, without any astringency. The wine were then transferred to new French oak barriques (Troncais and Alliers) where malolactic fermentation was completed by the year’s end. The wine were then racked, blended and then returned to the barrels for about 14 months aging, followed by aging for about one year in bottles before releas Alcool : l: 14% vol.

Other text

Guado al Tasso, meaning literally ”Badger’s Ford”, takes its name from a common sight at the estate of Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, where it is produced. The vineyard is at an elevation between 44 and 58 metres (145 and 190 feet) above sea-level on stony, slightly calcareous soils. Tenuta Guado al Tasso is located 60 miles southwest of Florence, near the medieval village of Bolgheri, in an area known as the Maremma. The 900 hectares (2,223 acres) estate stretches up from the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the hills, and aside from extensive vineyards, also grows wheat, corn, sunflowers, tomatoes and olive trees. Guado al Tasso was first produced in 1990; the successive vintages are 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. All the vintages have been produced in limited quantities.