Made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Guado al Melo 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Rute shows a curious bouquet with resin, toasted chestnut, scorched earth, caper and green olive. That theme of greenness continues to the palate with some fresh thyme and oregano. The wine also reveals blackcurrant and cherry with etched mineral notes or wet stone. Despite being aged in neutral oak on the less for 12 months, you do feel the tannic impact of the fruit. 35,000 bottles were made.

An uncommon red you might try with a rare grilled bonito steak with ginger and wasabi, the Guado al Melo 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Rute casts Cabernet Sauvignon as the star at 80% of the blend and Merlot (20%) in a supporting role. This is a nicely concentrated, mid-weight wine from one of the most creative producers, Michele Scienza, in the Bolgheri appellation. (Although some of the estate's most interesting wines are IGT expressions.) This blended red offers black fruit and toast with unusual layers of graham cracker or caramel. Earthy notes and porcino mushroom also play faintly on the bouquet. Some 35,000 bottles were made.

The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Rute shows nice balance. Derived from a Merlot (only 20% of the blend) harvested in mid-September and a Cabernet Sauvignon (80% of the bend) picked in early October, the 2016 vintage is cheerfully good, balanced and bright. Let the wine breathe sufficiently and you will find notes of candied cherry and some dark chocolate. Production stands at 40,000 bottles.

The 2015 Bolgheri Rosso Rute is hearty Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with softer Merlot (20%) in a supporting role. The bouquet is fine and layered with dark fruit and spice followed by bright balsam or medicinal herb. The effect is a bit abrupt and sharp in places. There is a sudden spot of sour cherry on the medium finish. The word Rute can be traced back to Etruscan times and means "red."

The 2014 Bolgheri Rosso Rute is based on Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller part Merlot. The bouquet opens to dark fruit and blackberry aromas with more subtle tones of spice and wet earth at the back. This vintage is thinner, shorter and more immediate compared to past editions of this wine. Drink this wine within the next two years.