Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso 2025 Vermentino Bolgheri DOC 750ml

Bolgheri is a place synonymous, in the Italian wine world, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot — the Super Tuscan homeland where Sassicaia and, from the Antinori side, Guado al Tasso's own celebrated red blend, redefined what Tuscan wine could be. But along this same stretch of Tyrrhenian coastline south of Livorno, in the shadow of the medieval village that gives the appellation its name, white wine has its own quiet tradition, and it belongs almost entirely to a single grape: Vermentino. Antinori first produced a Vermentino at Tenuta Guado al Tasso in 1996, driven by a specific ambition — to reintroduce an indigenous variety of this part of the Tyrrhenian coast that had been recognized and appreciated for its aromatic qualities since well before Antinori arrived, but that had fallen out of serious cultivation.

Tenuta Guado al Tasso spans 1,000 hectares within the "Bolgheri Amphitheater" — a naturally shaped plain encircled by rolling hillsides facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, whose particular geography creates a distinct and beneficial microclimate. The estate's proximity to the sea and its specific orientation give Vermentino grown here pronounced mineral character, genuine freshness, and aromatic intensity that Bolgheri's coastal conditions are specifically suited to producing. The 2025 growing season began with a mild, notably rainy winter, with abundant rainfall continuing through May before a dry, especially warm June brought the vines into excellent balance, supported by strong groundwater reserves. Summer proceeded with mild temperatures and above-average rainfall well distributed across July, August, and September — conditions that pushed véraison about a week earlier than usual, followed by an even, uniform ripening phase.

Vermentino was harvested across several passes between early and mid-September, with each vineyard parcel picked separately according to its own specific level of ripeness — a deliberate choice to capture both freshness and tension alongside complexity and intensity, and to let each individual parcel's particular terroir character come through in the final blend. Grapes were destemmed, gently crushed, and softly pressed, with fermentation taking place in stainless steel at a controlled 16°C. The result: straw yellow with greenish hues, opening with fresh aromas recalling the Bolgheri coast itself — white peach, citron peel, and hints of aromatic herbs like sage and thyme, alongside citrus and elderflower. On the palate, pleasant and well balanced between freshness and savoriness, with green apple, lemon zest, and a crisp, lively, lingering finish. A wine that tastes, quite specifically, like the place it comes from.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Tenuta Guado al Tasso is Marchesi Antinori's celebrated coastal estate in the Bolgheri DOC, on the Upper Maremma coast roughly one hundred kilometers southwest of Florence — an appellation with a comparatively recent history, established in 1995, that has since become an internationally recognized reference point for Italian and global winemaking. The estate covers 1,000 hectares total, with 320 hectares under vine, set within the naturally amphitheater-shaped plain that gives the property its most distinctive geographic feature — a shape that creates beneficial temperature fluctuations and a mild, sea-moderated climate with constant breezes that soften both summer heat and winter cold, while maintaining clear skies and high sunlight exposure. The remaining acreage is planted to wheat, sunflowers, and olive groves.

Vermentino was first produced at Guado al Tasso in 1996, specifically to reintroduce an indigenous Tyrrhenian coastal variety recognized for its aromatic qualities. The 2025 vintage was harvested in several phases between early and mid-September, with each vineyard parcel picked separately according to its specific level of grape maturity — a technique designed to preserve and enhance the complex, individual terroir character of each block. Upon arrival at the cellar, the grapes were destemmed, delicately crushed, and gently pressed, with the resulting must transferred to stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation at a controlled 16°C. Individual lots were evaluated regularly before final blending, and the wine was bottled in January 2026.

Tasting Profile

Nose
Straw yellow with greenish hues — the stainless steel, low-temperature fermentation preserving the wine's natural freshness and color clarity. Fresh notes recalling the Bolgheri coast itself open the nose: white peach and yellow fruit, white flowers, citron peel, and elderflower. Sage and thyme add subtle aromatic herb complexity, alongside a distinct touch of sea breeze — the estate's coastal position translated directly into the glass.

Palate
Pleasant and well balanced between freshness and savoriness — green apple and lemon zest carry vivid citrus brightness, with pineapple and mineral notes adding textural complexity. Good concentration meets excellent freshness, the wine's natural acidity keeping it lively and refreshing rather than heavy.

Finish
Crisp and lively, lingering with light citrusy notes. A clean, mineral-driven close that reflects the estate's proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea and the specific orientation of its coastal vineyards.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or stewed fish — the producer's own specific recommendation
• Seafood and shellfish
• Light pasta dishes
• Vegetable salads
• Fresh vegetables