Matarocchio 2012

The Wine

Il Matarocchio was inspired by the desire to create, at the Guado al Tasso estate, a wine that was the maximum expression both of a single grape variety and a single vineyard plot. Il Matarocchio was born precisely from one of these sites and is a wine of great elegance and depth, one which springs exclusively from its source of origin and from a remarkable vintage such as 2007.

The Wine

Climate

2019 was one of the best growing seasons for Cabernet Franc on Tenuta Guado al Tasso. Weather trends between April and May were cool. These climate conditions caused a slight delay in the vines’ vegetative cycle. The summer months ushered in hot and dry conditions until the end of July, reversing the initial delay. A sudden rise in temperatures caused the vines to produce light and loosely packed grape clusters. August and September brought sunny skies and steady temperatures allowing the fruit to complete ripening under optimal conditions. The 2019 vintage produced a sublime expression of Cabernet Franc’s aromatic profile and exceptional quality of tannins.

Vinification

Grapes were hand harvested and meticulously sorted, berry by berry, gently crushed, then alcoholic fermentation was initiated. The wine was then transferred into new French oak barriques where malolactic fermentation was completed, and the wine continued to age for 18 months. Once aging was complete and after careful barrel tasting, the best barriques were selected and blended to craft Matarocchio. The wine was then left to age for over a year in the bottle before being released.

Historical Data

The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the small but prestigious Bolgheri DOC, on the coast of upper Maremma, about one hundred kilometers southwest from Florence. This appellation has a relatively recent history, DOC Bolgheri was approved in 1995 and since then it has become an internationally recognized reference point for the Italian and international winemaking arena. The estate covers an area of about 320 hectares (790 acres) planted with vines, set in a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides known as the "Bolgheri Amphitheatre" due to its particular shape. The vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino. The nearby sea provides a mild climate with constant breezes that mitigate summer heat and alleviate harsh winter weather, maintaining a clear sky and a high level of sunlight exposure.

Tasting Notes

Matarocchio 2019 is intensely ruby red in color. Clean, pure, and intense both on the nose and palate. This vintage exhibits a strong varietal identity: aromas of mint and myrtle leaves mingle with spicy notes, accompanied by hints of candied fruit and chocolate. The palate is extraordinarily velvety and at the same time vibrant. Matarocchio 2019 has remarkable elegance and character and can be enjoyed right away but also can express its finest characteristics in the years to come.

Tenuta Guado al Tasso

The Guado al Tasso estate is located in the small but prestigious Bolgheri DOC, on the coast of upper Maremma, about one hundred kilometers southwest from Florence. This appellation has a relatively recent history, DOC Bolgheri was approved in 1995 and since then it has become an internationally recognized reference point for the Italian and international winemaking arena. The estate covers an area of 320 hectares (790 acres), set in a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides known as the "Bolgheri Amphitheatre" due to its particular shape. The vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino Nero and Bianco. The nearby sea provides a mild climate with constant breezes that mitigate summer heat and alleviate harsh winter weather, maintaining a clear sky and a high level of sunlight exposure.