2025 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Vermentino DOC, Tuscany

A well-defined vermentino, round and comforting. On the nose it displays sliced pears, sweet spices and some custard. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Round and creamy with a charming finish. Drink now.

91 points James Suckling

The Antinori family's connection to Tuscan wine stretches back more than six centuries, and Tenuta Guado al Tasso is one of the jewels in their remarkable collection of estates. Situated in the celebrated Bolgheri appellation on Tuscany's Mediterranean coast, the property is better known for its distinguished Cabernet based reds, but its Vermentino reveals another side of this beautiful coastal landscape. Fresh, fragrant and wonderfully suited to seafood, it captures the breezy, sunlit character of the Tuscan coast without sacrificing the refinement expected from Antinori.

Vermentino thrives in Bolgheri's maritime climate, where warm sunshine encourages ripe fruit while cooling sea breezes help preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The vineyards lie on the coastal plain beneath the hills surrounding Bolgheri, with varied soils contributing texture and mineral character. The 2025 is made to celebrate the grape's natural vibrancy, with cool fermentation and maturation in stainless steel preserving its citrus, floral and herbal personality. The result is a beautifully refreshing white with enough substance to accompany a meal rather than simply serve as an aperitif.

Pale straw yellow with delicate green reflections. Lemon zest, white peach and crisp green apple mingle with orange blossom, fresh fennel and a little Mediterranean thyme. The palate is lively and gently textured, with juicy citrus and stone fruit supported by refreshing acidity. A subtle almond character and a hint of sea salt add savoury interest, while the finish is clean, bright and pleasantly persistent. There is a lovely balance between fruit generosity and coastal freshness, making it an especially appealing expression of Vermentino.

Grilled calamari with lemon and parsley, prawns with garlic and olive oil or whole baked snapper with fennel would be excellent companions. It would also be delicious with zucchini fritters, burrata and ripe tomatoes, or linguine with clams and fresh herbs. Serve well chilled, although not icy cold, to appreciate its lovely aromatic detail.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2029. Most appealing for its youthful citrus freshness and lively coastal character.