Of the wines in this flight, the 2001 Bolgheri Guado al Tasso gave the most immediate pleasure. This wine is seductive, supple and soft thanks to its dark cherry, ripe fruit, exotic spice, cassis, grilled herb, crushed mineral and sweet chewing tobacco. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (with smaller parts Merlot and Syrah). It shows integrity, conservation and purity. In fact, this edition of Guado al Tasso tastes a bit younger than it really is. There's nothing to not like here. The quality of fruit is forceful but pristine, and the mouthfeel is nicely layered and long in length. In the greater scheme of things, Antinori's landmark wine is slightly less complex than some of the great wines also presented at this Masterclass--but that gap is minimal. This is an impressive wine and if you have bottles in your cellar, you can count on it to award great pleasure and overall satisfaction.

Tenuta Belvedere is the Antinori property in Bolgheri, once part of an enormous estate from which the vineyards of both Ornellaia and Sassicaia were carved out. After an excellent 1998, the wines of both 1999 and, particularly, 2000 were significantly less successful, but the 2001 Guado al Tasso should help forget this temporary unevenness. A dense ruby with purple highlights, the wine is loaded with aromas and flavors of perfectly ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, minerals, sage, and thyme. The wine is more fragrant and more finely-spun than Antinori’s other Bordeaux wine, Solaia, but there is no lack of concentration and density here, though both are tempered by a satiny texture and polished tannins which are all elegance and breed. Drink: 2006-2021. Importer: Remy Amerique, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2202

Silky and refined, with blackberry, tobacco and mineral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with a solid core of tannins and a refined finish. Reserved and structured. Best after 2007. 11,600 cases made (James Suckling)

A more classic Bordeaux blend than Tignanello or Solaia, and the 2001 is from an excellent vintage. This is displaying dried herbs, black cherry and garrigue spice notes on the nose. You get the heat of the Tuscan undergrowth here, despite the clear Cabernet influence. The wine is well balanced and savoury, with a weight to the berry fruit that is clear but not overdone. It is accomplished and enjoyable, almost 19 years old but still with a long life ahead from here.

Fully mature: meat juice, black cherry, a touch of leafiness. Finely ground tannins that still have firmness, but the acidity cleanses the finish and the length is wonderfully earthy and open. I wouldn't keep this any longer, but revel in its maturity now. (RH)

Excellent deep crimson – very healthy looking. Very good vintage. In all Antinori wines except Solaia, they extended maceration. Much more concentrated and mineral on the nose than the 1998 – seems much much more youthful. Almost salty. Pretty big and bold! But velvety and fun. Lots of tannin and muscle! Still a little dusty but there is (just) enough freshness on the end. A pretty dramatic wine! Should be long lived. (JR)