Tenuta San Guido

Le Difese is one of the most beautiful price-quality wonders of Tuscany. Magnificent, sweetly perfumed fruit aromas in an opulent bouquet, just as generous and wide the long-lasting taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of star anise, dark-skinned berry, wild herb and toasted oak form the nose. A blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Sangiovese, the wine's bright, linear palate offers red currant, prune and a hint of licorice before a coffee-bean finish. Racy acidity and taut close-grained tannins provide the framework and tension." Wine Enthusiast

"Just bottled, the 2018 Le Difese is very pretty, and also the most refined vintage I can remember tasting here. Fresh and light on its feet, the 2018 is truly delicious. It is also the first vintage of this wine that really is in line with the house style. Having the ability to make this wine in the Bolgheri property rather than at a remote facility represents a major step up for San Guido." Vinous

"A medium-bodied red with plum and cherry character. Walnut and bark undertones. It’s creamy and savory at the finish." James Suckling

Guidalberto has not been in the shadow of his "super-father" Sassicaia for a long time. Since he is vinified from his own vineyards, most of which also grow in the monopollage Sassicaia DOC, he has grown beyond himself. Spicy and earthy bouquet with hints of tobacco, clove and lavender, dense and juicy on the palate with fresh red and black berry fruit. The tannins are well dosed and the finish is complex with a majestic elegance, which becomes even more refined with the years of bottle maturity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Playful spicy-fruity flower; pithy on the palate with firm tannins, the reverberation of rich notes of black cherries and bitter almonds. A refined second wine from the Sassicaia producer." Vinum

"Deep black-purple. Opulent, plum, cassis and some fresh earth. Clove, cinnamon and some toasted almond oak. Much fuller-bodied than the Le Difese, with ripe plum and cassis fruit. Plenty of polish here, though pretty embryonic in form. Very fine-grained tannins, though not the greatest density of them. The fruit slips away quite quickly, but there’s a long line of spice and savouriness that does come through. Perhaps once bottled, the fruit will hold through as far too." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Guidalberto is a stellar wine. Rich, ample and resonant, the 2017 possesses superb depth and textural richness, both signatures of this warm, dry vintage. I suppose in the most technical sense, the 2017 is not the last word on complexity. But it is supremely delicious, it is that kind of wine opened and finished quickly - and of course, the ultimate goal of a wine is to deliver pleasure. The 2017 Guidalberto hits it out of the park on that level." VINOUS

"A youthful, sinewy red, with plum, black cherry, cedar and spice flavors wrapped in a thick texture and mouthcoating tannins. Stays vivid and long on the finish, where the sweet, ripe fruit prevails." Wine Spectator

"A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2017 Guidalberto appeals to the more informal side of sophisticated drinking. By that I mean it makes a great choice at lunch or for family dinners. Despite the accessibility and dense concentration of the fruit, especially evident in a warm vintage such as this, the wine's pedigree is evident in terms of the careful management of the structure and acidity. My samples were a little closed at first and needed some extra coaxing. Once open, the wine shows the dark fruit and exuberance of this hot vintage in Tuscany." Robert Parker

"Subtle aromas of cedar, cassis, tobacco and a whiff of camphor slowly take shape in the glass. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the tightly knit, elegant palate delivers dried black cherry, red currant, blood orange and licorice while fine-grained tannins provide tight support. It closes on a coffee-bean note." Wine Enthusiast

"Fresh herbs, cedar, black raspberries, orange peel and citrus. Very balanced and focused on the palate, thanks to cutting acidity, but with firm, chewy tannins that envelop a plethora of red fruit." James Suckling

Since Guidalberto is vinified from its own vineyards, most of which are also growing in the Sassicaia DOC monopoly position, San Guido's "second wine" has outgrown itself. Spicy-earthy bouquet with hints of tobacco, clove and lavender, on the palate dense and juicy with fresh red and black berry fruit. The tannins well-dosed and the finish complex with a majestic elegance that refines even further with the years of bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"There is so much Tuscan tang to this wine that I wouldn't be remotely surprised if someone told me it contained a little of Tuscany's signature grape Sangiovese. This is appetising rather than luscious. Nicely balanced and much more accessible now than the current 2017 vintage of Sassicaia. No more than medium bodied. Clean and neat." Jancis Robinson

"Made with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this smooth red opens with aromas of cassis, vanilla, violet and a whiff of bell pepper. Racy and delicious, the linear palate doles out juicy red currant, black cherry and vanilla set against lithe tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and fresh." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Guidalberto, tasted from an approximate blend from barrel, is positively stellar. I can only hope that the bottled wine is as fresh, vibrant and nuanced as this sample. A rush of black cherry, plum, spice, leather and licorice graces the 2018 with striking depth and nuance. Light on its feet and deep, the 2018 has a lot to offer. In many years, Guidalberto can be a rather rich wine, but in 2018 it is very closely aligned with the house style." Vinous

"A deft and bright blend to serve with a platter of creamy Camembert wedges, the 2018 Guidalberto showing a smooth and silky delivery of aromas with black fruit and sour cherry backed by spice, pressed flower and tilled earth. These are fragrant and delicate results fitted to a medium-weight finish that is driven by freshness and elegant tannins." Robert Parker

"San Guido’s 2018 Guidalberto is soft, open-knit and inviting. Sweet dark cherry, cinnamon, licorice and new leather fill out the layers in an undeniably attractive Guidalberto that will drink beautifully upon release. Finesse and elegance are the signatures. The 2018 is a terrific choice for drinking now, while some of the more powerful vintages of Guidalberto come together, or while waiting for its sibling, Sassicaia." Vinous

Since Guidalberto is vinified from its own vineyards, most of which are also growing in the Sassicaia DOC monopoly position, San Guido's "second wine" has outgrown itself. Spicy-earthy bouquet with hints of tobacco, clove and lavender, on the palate dense and juicy with fresh red and black berry fruit. The tannins well-dosed and the finish complex with a majestic elegance that refines even further with the years of bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"There is so much Tuscan tang to this wine that I wouldn't be remotely surprised if someone told me it contained a little of Tuscany's signature grape Sangiovese. This is appetising rather than luscious. Nicely balanced and much more accessible now than the current 2017 vintage of Sassicaia. No more than medium bodied. Clean and neat." Jancis Robinson

"Made with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this smooth red opens with aromas of cassis, vanilla, violet and a whiff of bell pepper. Racy and delicious, the linear palate doles out juicy red currant, black cherry and vanilla set against lithe tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and fresh." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Guidalberto, tasted from an approximate blend from barrel, is positively stellar. I can only hope that the bottled wine is as fresh, vibrant and nuanced as this sample. A rush of black cherry, plum, spice, leather and licorice graces the 2018 with striking depth and nuance. Light on its feet and deep, the 2018 has a lot to offer. In many years, Guidalberto can be a rather rich wine, but in 2018 it is very closely aligned with the house style." Vinous

"A deft and bright blend to serve with a platter of creamy Camembert wedges, the 2018 Guidalberto showing a smooth and silky delivery of aromas with black fruit and sour cherry backed by spice, pressed flower and tilled earth. These are fragrant and delicate results fitted to a medium-weight finish that is driven by freshness and elegant tannins." Robert Parker

"San Guido’s 2018 Guidalberto is soft, open-knit and inviting. Sweet dark cherry, cinnamon, licorice and new leather fill out the layers in an undeniably attractive Guidalberto that will drink beautifully upon release. Finesse and elegance are the signatures. The 2018 is a terrific choice for drinking now, while some of the more powerful vintages of Guidalberto come together, or while waiting for its sibling, Sassicaia." Vinous

Enormously complex on the nose: we discover cassis, elderberries, heart-cherries and floral and mineral-earthy notes. In the mouth it is firm, precise and yet extremely elegant and balsamic, with a lot of juiciness and a very fine tannin, which is already irresistible in its young years. We have seldom enjoyed a wine that is so dense and full and at the same time seduces with a balance that makes it unique. Further bottle maturity is inevitably rewarded, although a further increase seems hardly imaginable. SUPERIORE.DE

"With this wine, more than 50 years ago, the success story of international grape varieties began in Bolgheri: the Incisa della Rocchetta family recognised the potential of the Bordeaux grape varieties and created this monolith of Italian wine culture. To this day, it is produced almost unchanged and mainly from Cabernet Franc: an appealing nose of fresh stone fruit, juniper and tobacco; the attack is polished, the tannins fine-grained and fresh, invigorating acidity, an extremely complex final on notes of red fruit and spices. Always one of the most elegant interpretations of the terroir." Vinum

"The 2017 Sassicaia is a fascinating wine that symbolizes a never-ending tug-of-war between vintner and vintage. The question is who comes out on top? In this case, my money is on the vintner. The 2017 vintage, characterized by scorching heat and drought across much of Italy, was not an easy one. This Sassicaia represents 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc, with most of the fruit coming from the Tenuta's historic vineyards Castiglioncello, Quercione and Doccino. These plots are all located on the back hill of Bolgheri at slightly higher elevations where they enjoy cooler nighttime temperatures. Old vines also have a deeper root system that is key to braving dry and hot summers. You can absolutely taste those choices here thanks to the wine's aromatic profile that offers more variety-driven green highlights of wild berry, forest floor and bramble than I would have expected. With time, as the wine takes on more air in the glass, you get a hint of summer plum or cherry cough drop, and this, to my surprise, is the only subtle reminder of the hot vintage encountered. I found the aromas here to be authentically "Tuscan" in character, more so than other vintages, with balsamic and Mediterranean elements that borrow directly from the Sangiovese playbook. The decision to use more neutral oak favors the reduction of oxygen and softens the tannic profile. Although the wine does end with a hint of bitterness, it took on noticeably more volume and soft richness the longer I kept my sample in the glass." Robert Parker

"A taut, densely wrought red, with black currant, black cherry, iron, wild herb and spice flavors matched to the elegant frame and restrained character. Balanced and long, this has a distinctly Old World feel and looks set to unravel its complex facets slowly." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Sassicaia is dark, sensual and rich, which is a good thing, as the tannins - the result of a warm, dry year in which phenolic ripening was difficult to fully reach - are also quite powerful. I tasted the 2017 from an approximate blend from barrel, where the wines are still aging in separate lots. It will be interesting to see where things end up once the wine is in bottle." Vinous

"The balance and beauty to this is impressive, offering sweet, ripe currants and flowers with some crushed-stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins and a long, creamy-textured finish. It’s polished, yet concentrated. Better after 2022, but already very seductive." James Suckling

"Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

Enormously complex on the nose: we discover cassis, elderberries, heart-cherries and floral and mineral-earthy notes. In the mouth it is firm, precise and yet highly elegant and balsamic, with a lot of juiciness and a very fine tannin, which is already irresistible in its young years. We have seldom enjoyed a wine that is so dense and full and at the same time seduces with a balance that makes it unique. Further bottle maturity is inevitably rewarded, although a further increase seems hardly imaginable. SUPERIORE.DE

"With this wine, more than 50 years ago, the success story of international grape varieties began in Bolgheri: the Incisa della Rocchetta family recognised the potential of the Bordeaux grape varieties and created this monolith of Italian wine culture. To this day, it is produced almost unchanged and mainly from Cabernet Franc: an appealing nose of fresh stone fruit, juniper and tobacco; the attack is polished, the tannins fine-grained and fresh, invigorating acidity, an extremely complex final on notes of red fruit and spices. Always one of the most elegant interpretations of the terroir." Vinum

"The 2017 Sassicaia is a fascinating wine that symbolizes a never-ending tug-of-war between vintner and vintage. The question is who comes out on top? In this case, my money is on the vintner. The 2017 vintage, characterized by scorching heat and drought across much of Italy, was not an easy one. This Sassicaia represents 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc, with most of the fruit coming from the Tenuta's historic vineyards Castiglioncello, Quercione and Doccino. These plots are all located on the back hill of Bolgheri at slightly higher elevations where they enjoy cooler nighttime temperatures. Old vines also have a deeper root system that is key to braving dry and hot summers. You can absolutely taste those choices here thanks to the wine's aromatic profile that offers more variety-driven green highlights of wild berry, forest floor and bramble than I would have expected. With time, as the wine takes on more air in the glass, you get a hint of summer plum or cherry cough drop, and this, to my surprise, is the only subtle reminder of the hot vintage encountered. I found the aromas here to be authentically "Tuscan" in character, more so than other vintages, with balsamic and Mediterranean elements that borrow directly from the Sangiovese playbook. The decision to use more neutral oak favors the reduction of oxygen and softens the tannic profile. Although the wine does end with a hint of bitterness, it took on noticeably more volume and soft richness the longer I kept my sample in the glass." Robert Parker

"A taut, densely wrought red, with black currant, black cherry, iron, wild herb and spice flavors matched to the elegant frame and restrained character. Balanced and long, this has a distinctly Old World feel and looks set to unravel its complex facets slowly." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Sassicaia is dark, sensual and rich, which is a good thing, as the tannins - the result of a warm, dry year in which phenolic ripening was difficult to fully reach - are also quite powerful. I tasted the 2017 from an approximate blend from barrel, where the wines are still aging in separate lots. It will be interesting to see where things end up once the wine is in bottle." Vinous

"The balance and beauty to this is impressive, offering sweet, ripe currants and flowers with some crushed-stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins and a long, creamy-textured finish. It’s polished, yet concentrated. Better after 2022, but already very seductive." James Suckling

"Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

Enormously complex on the nose: we discover cassis, elderberries, heart-cherries and floral and mineral-earthy notes. In the mouth it is firm, precise and yet extremely elegant and balsamic, with a lot of juiciness and a very fine tannin, which is already irresistible in its young years. We have seldom enjoyed a wine that is so dense and full and at the same time seduces with a balance that makes it unique. Further bottle maturity is inevitably rewarded, although a further increase seems hardly imaginable. SUPERIORE.DE

"With this wine, more than 50 years ago, the success story of international grape varieties began in Bolgheri: the Incisa della Rocchetta family recognised the potential of the Bordeaux grape varieties and created this monolith of Italian wine culture. To this day, it is produced almost unchanged and mainly from Cabernet Franc: an appealing nose of fresh stone fruit, juniper and tobacco; the attack is polished, the tannins fine-grained and fresh, invigorating acidity, an extremely complex final on notes of red fruit and spices. Always one of the most elegant interpretations of the terroir." Vinum

"The 2017 Sassicaia is a fascinating wine that symbolizes a never-ending tug-of-war between vintner and vintage. The question is who comes out on top? In this case, my money is on the vintner. The 2017 vintage, characterized by scorching heat and drought across much of Italy, was not an easy one. This Sassicaia represents 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc, with most of the fruit coming from the Tenuta's historic vineyards Castiglioncello, Quercione and Doccino. These plots are all located on the back hill of Bolgheri at slightly higher elevations where they enjoy cooler nighttime temperatures. Old vines also have a deeper root system that is key to braving dry and hot summers. You can absolutely taste those choices here thanks to the wine's aromatic profile that offers more variety-driven green highlights of wild berry, forest floor and bramble than I would have expected. With time, as the wine takes on more air in the glass, you get a hint of summer plum or cherry cough drop, and this, to my surprise, is the only subtle reminder of the hot vintage encountered. I found the aromas here to be authentically "Tuscan" in character, more so than other vintages, with balsamic and Mediterranean elements that borrow directly from the Sangiovese playbook. The decision to use more neutral oak favors the reduction of oxygen and softens the tannic profile. Although the wine does end with a hint of bitterness, it took on noticeably more volume and soft richness the longer I kept my sample in the glass." Robert Parker

"A taut, densely wrought red, with black currant, black cherry, iron, wild herb and spice flavors matched to the elegant frame and restrained character. Balanced and long, this has a distinctly Old World feel and looks set to unravel its complex facets slowly." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Sassicaia is dark, sensual and rich, which is a good thing, as the tannins - the result of a warm, dry year in which phenolic ripening was difficult to fully reach - are also quite powerful. I tasted the 2017 from an approximate blend from barrel, where the wines are still aging in separate lots. It will be interesting to see where things end up once the wine is in bottle." Vinous

"The balance and beauty to this is impressive, offering sweet, ripe currants and flowers with some crushed-stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins and a long, creamy-textured finish. It’s polished, yet concentrated. Better after 2022, but already very seductive." James Suckling

"Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish." Wine Enthusiast