Cont'Ugo Guado al Tasso Antinori 2020

Cont'Ugo della Tenuta Guado al Tasso di Antinori, is produced in the small and prestigious DOC area of Bolgheri, on the coast of the Alta Maremma, about one hundred kilometres south-west of Florence. Tenuta Guado al Tasso covers an area of about 320 hectares under vine in a splendid plain surrounded by hills known as the "Bolgheri amphitheatre" for its particular conformation. Cont'Ugo is made from selected Merlot grapes to interpret the Bolgheri territory from a new perspective. The vineyards, situated at an altitude between 45 and 60 metres above sea level on silty-clayey soils of predominantly alluvial origin, give Cont'Ugo great depth and complexity while preserving the fragrance and exuberance of fruit typical of Merlot.

Vinification
The harvest began in early September with the first selected Merlot grapes and ended at the end of September with the grapes from the later, more mature vineyards. After manual harvesting and careful selection in the cellar, the grapes were transferred to thermo-conditioned stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation and maceration took place, which lasted about 20 days. The fermentation temperature was managed according to the ripeness level of the grapes; lower temperatures were chosen to maintain greater aromatic freshness, and higher temperatures, up to around 30°C, to emphasise polyphenolic extraction and structure. The different batches, divided by characteristics, were transferred to barriques where they completed malolactic fermentation by the end of the year.

Refinement
The best batches were blended and transferred back into barriques, 10% new and 90% second passage, for a further 12 months of maturation after which the wine was bottled. Cont'Ugo was then bottle-aged for 3 months before release.

Awards and Recognition
Year 2016 - Guida Vitae AIS - 4 Viti
Year 2016 - Robert Parker - 92 Punti
Year 2016 - Guida Bibenda - 4 Grappoli
Year 2018 - Robert Parker - 91 Punti
Year 2018 - Guida Bibenda - 4 Grappoli