2019 Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Cont'Ugo Bolgheri

Cont'Ugo is produced entirely with Merlot. The vineyards are located at an altitude ranging between 45 and 60 meters above sea level on clay loam soils of alluvial origin that give the wine deep complex notes while retaining the aroma and freshness typical of Merlot berries. After the grapes were harvested by hand and carefully selected on sorting tables, the berries were transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation and maceration with skins took place for a period of approximately 20 days. Fermentation temperatures at this high end winery are managed according to the ripeness of the grapes: lower temperatures were applied to preserve and improve aromatic freshness, while higher temperatures, up to 30°C, to stimulate the extraction of phenolic compounds and structure . The different batches were divided according to their individual characteristics and then transferred into oak barriques, a third of which were new. The malolactic fermentation was completed towards the end of the year. The best batches were blended by the winemaker to get the right profile and the blend was transferred to barriques for further maturation/aging of 12 months after which it was bottled. The Cont'Ugo was aged in the bottle for a further 6 months in the winery's cellars before becoming available.

The Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Rosso Cont'Ugo is a pure expression of Merlot from the Marchesi Antinori estate in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. This vintage is fragrant and bright with aromas ranging from bold berries and raspberries to blue flowers and dried mint. The aromas are lofty and bright, and on the palate the wine delivers a graceful, medium-bodied approach. The Cont'Ugo is a wine of great depth and complexity while retaining the aroma and richness of fruit characteristic of Merlot.

The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the small but prestigious Bolgheri appellation on the coast of Tuscany.
Upper Maremma, about 100 kilometers southwest of the city of Florence. The region can boast of a worldwide reputation as a reference point for international high-end wines such as Sassicaia, Ornellaia and of course Guado al Tasso. The vineyards of Guado al Tasso consist mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino grapes; the latter cultivated with both white and red varieties. They enjoy a mild climate thanks to the close presence of the Mediterranean Sea, the constant breeze softens the summer heat and the rigors of winter cleans the air and provides a high level of sunlight and radiation.