The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso is dark, powerful and explosive, with a huge backbone of tannin that gives the wine its vertical feel and soaring intensity. Blackberry, graphite, chocolate, spice, menthol, licorice, cedar and lavender add to the wine's brooding, intense feel. A vibrant, substantial finish rounds things out in style. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant, but it is utterly breathtaking, even in the early going.

Beautiful center palate of fruit here with ripe and silky tannins that are resolved and fine-grained. Full-bodied, polished and ever so refined. Oyster shell, stone and hints of rosemary and lavender. Driven finish. Better after 2022.

This stunning vintage of this landmark wine marks a slight adjustment to the blend. The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Guado Al Tasso is no longer made with Petit Verdot. The blend is now 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and now 20% Cabernet Franc. This small change does not go unnoticed, as this wine is absolutely seamless now—like the finest Asian silk fabric. That profound textural softness and suppleness changes the way the wine smells and tastes, with hints of momentary sweetness that are more tactile than anything else. Generally speaking, the 2016 vintage offers more elegance (slightly less concentration) and a hair more freshness compared to the 2015 edition. When I tasted this wine, the bouquet was still timid, but it will no doubt become more expressive and open as this beautiful wine continues forward along its aging trajectory. Some 120,000 bottles were made, a remarkable feat considering the extreme quality on offer.

Tasted alongside the release of the 2022 vintage at the winery, the 2016 Guado Al Tasso is a deep red color and is starting to show a more layered Mediterranean feel, with complex layers of leather, wild herbs, black truffle, cassis, and pressed floral perfume. In this vintage, they used a high portion of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) along with 20% Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Full-bodied, it’s focused with good definition in its ripe tannins, spine of fresh acidity, exceptional purity, and mouthwatering finish, with lasting notes of salty earth. In this tasting, the 2016 held a slight edge over 2022, although both were exceptional. Drink 2025-2045. The wines for this report were tasted both at the winery with winemaker, Marco Ferrarese, as well as in repeat tastings with the Consorzio.

Bright, attractive, mid-depth ruby. Ripe, sweet-fruit nose with a touch of carob and savoury herbs. Agile, nicely balanced palate with refined tannins and a return of the savoury-sweet contrast on the finish. Stylish.

An exuberant style, boasting ripe black cherry and plum notes, with hints of coffee, chocolate and toasty oak. Sleek and refined, with a backbone of muscular tannins for support. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2033. BS

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot. Glowing ruby. Low-key nose after the fragrance of the San Leonardo. Much sweeter and riper than the San Leonardo. Definitely more Tuscan warmth! Quite powerful with some dustiness and alcoholic warmth on the finish. (JR)