The 2013 Matarocchio, 100% Cabernet Franc, is superb. Deep, sumptuous and enveloping in all of its dimensions, the 2013 captures all the best qualities of the Tuscan coast. Dark-fleshed fruit, smoke, mocha, plum, espresso and new French oak infuse this deep, fleshy wine. Sweet tannins give the wine added texture, but there is also a good bit of freshness that keeps the wine from being overly heavy. The 100% new French oak is impeccably balanced.

The 2013 Matarocchio is perhaps the most stunning wine I have yet tasted from the prolific portfolio of Italy's most important producer: Marchesi Antinori. This pure expression of Cabernet Franc comes from the family's Bolgheri estate Tenuta Guado al Tasso. I tasted the wine after it had been in bottle for 18 months. It is set to be released in September and less than 4,000 bottles were produced. Matarocchio was not made in 2014. Cabernet Franc is quickly becoming a headline grape along the Tuscan Coast, and this beautiful creation builds a rock-solid case for that claim. The bouquet is deep and penetrating with delicious and succulent aromatic layers that peel back in slow succession. Blackberry and dark currant is followed by tar, licorice, leather and delicate mineral tones that resemble polished river stone. There is spice, pepper and sweet clove. The best part, however, is the elegance and veritable lightness shown in the mouth. The wine is indeed structured and richly concentrated, but it feels so much lighter on its feet compared to the bulkier 2011 vintage that I tasted alongside for comparison. The wine's drinking window will remain wide open for many more years.

Despite the relatively young age of the vines, planted in 2000, the cool vintage in the mild Mediterranean climate of Bolgheri produced extraordinary ripeness and balance. This Matarocchio is full of grace and elegance, with dried eucalyptus leaf, milk chocolate praline and restrained cassis core; full, fat and sweet on the palate with extremely precise tannins and brillant acid. It lacks the power of 2015, yet shows superb elegance, so I would drink this now, waiting for the 2015.
Tasted by Aldo Fiordelli (at Bolgheri, 05 Sep 2019)
Part of Antinori's Guado al Tasso and Matarocchio