Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri (Tuscany, Italy) 2010

Guado al Tasso is one of the Antinori family’s many Italian estates. It’s in Tuscany, but not in the classic Chianti country. It’s in the Maremma, quite near the portion of the Mediterranean called the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s warmer here than in the Chianti district, more hospitable to international grape varieties, so no wonder it’s the birthplace of the Super Tuscan. Il Bruciato is the estate’s entry level red. The 2010 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Syrah and other red grape varieties. I was concerned that it might lean too far to the international style, and indeed it does have rich ripe plum and blackberry fruit with a bit of cassis in the background. However, my fears were allayed by the wine’s structure. The lush, upfront fruit is harnessed by decisive acidity and burnished, but solid tannins. It’s a baby, a very pretty one, and should be available for your drinking pleasure for several years to come.