Guado al Melo Bolgheri DOC Red

The area of Bolgheri boasts a long grapegrowing history, but only during the latter half of the 20th century did the area witness a true winemaking Renaissance, a rebirth sparked by new premium-quality wine production as the result of state-of-the-art winemaking techniques and of the introduction of French varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot).

The combination of Bolgheri terroir and French varieties launched a new tradition, however, which earned the area wide recognition for its world-class wines.

Careful cluster selection, low yields, the unique qualities of its microenvironment, a carefully-calibrated fermentation, and a judicious use of oak combine to make Guado al Melo an intimate expression of Bolgheri’s soul, whose most distinctive features are its harmony and elegance. Those outstanding qualities are further enriched by lengthy ageing.

Label: The label shows a vine shoot, which is also the symbol of our winery. The image was found by Attilio; it is the most ancient image of a vine yet found in Italy, and was on an amphora.

DENOMINATION: Bolgheri DOC rosso (red)
VARIETIES: 80% Cabernet sauvignon, 20% Merlot
VINEYARD: Castagneto Carducci (LI) - Tuscany, planted in 1999, at an altitude of 50 metres, with a density of 8,000 vines per hectare (spurred cordon).
SOILS: Alluvial, with good pebble-gravel texture and moderate clay content.
CLIMATE: Mediterranean, with significant diurnal temperature ranges.
YIELD : max. 90 Hl /ha.
VINIFICATION: in temperature-controlled steel.
MATURATION: 12 months sur-lie in small oak barrel (10% new).
BOTTLE-AGEING: A minimum of 6 months in glass.

SENSORY PROFILE: The wine is ruby red with violet highlights, with an elegant nose that privileges peppery spice and red fruit, particularly cherry, with subtle balsamic notes of mint in the background. It is very smooth in the mouth, with excellent length and structure.