Tenuta San Guido

Le Difese ist eines der schönsten Preis-Qualitäts-Wunder der Toskana. Prächtige, süß parfümierte Fruchtaromen im opulenten Bouquet, ebenso großzügig und weit der langanhaltende Geschmack. SUPERIORE.DE

"Made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this offers aromas of blackberry, charred earth, blue flower and a whiffs of oak-driven spice. The linear, elegant palate offers dried black cherry, black currant and licorice alongside taut polished tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2017 Le Difese is plump, juicy and inviting, with lovely textural richness and volume. Sweet red cherry, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol are amped up by the natural richness and radiance of the year. This is an especially supple, lush Difese. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years." Vinous

"Fresh and vivid with a blackberry, currant and fresh-herb character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a focused finish." James Suckling

Le Difese ist eines der schönsten Preis-Qualitäts-Wunder der Toskana. Prächtige, süß parfümierte Fruchtaromen im opulenten Bouquet, ebenso großzügig und weit der langanhaltende Geschmack. 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

Guidalberto steht schon lange nicht mehr im Schatten seines "Übervaters" Sassicaia. Seitdem er aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist er schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Verspielte würzig-fruchtige Blume; am Gaumen kernig mit strammen Gerbstoffen, der Nachhall auf satte Noten von Schwarzkirschen und Bittermandeln. Finessenreicher Zweitwein des Sassicaia-Produzenten." 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

Seitdem Guidalberto aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist San Guidos "Zweitwein" schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. 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

Le Difese ist eines der schönsten Preis-Qualitäts-Wunder der Toskana. Prächtige, süß parfümierte Fruchtaromen im opulenten Bouquet, ebenso großzügig und weit der langanhaltende Geschmack. 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

Guidalberto steht schon lange nicht mehr im Schatten seines "Übervaters" Sassicaia. Seitdem er aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist er schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Verspielte würzig-fruchtige Blume; am Gaumen kernig mit strammen Gerbstoffen, der Nachhall auf satte Noten von Schwarzkirschen und Bittermandeln. Finessenreicher Zweitwein des Sassicaia-Produzenten." 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

Seitdem Guidalberto aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist San Guidos "Zweitwein" schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. 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

Seitdem Guidalberto aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist San Guidos "Zweitwein" schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. 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

Guidalberto steht schon lange nicht mehr im Schatten seines "Übervaters" Sassicaia. Seitdem er aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist er schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Verspielte würzig-fruchtige Blume; am Gaumen kernig mit strammen Gerbstoffen, der Nachhall auf satte Noten von Schwarzkirschen und Bittermandeln. Finessenreicher Zweitwein des Sassicaia-Produzenten." 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

Seitdem Guidalberto aus eigenen Lagen vinifiziert wird, die zum Großteil ebenfalls in der Monopollage Sassicaia DOC wachsen, ist San Guidos "Zweitwein" schier über sich hinaus gewachsen. Würzig-erdiges Bouquet mit Anklängen an Tabak, Nelke und Lavendel, am Gaumen dicht und saftig mit frischer roter und schwarzer Beerenfrucht. Die Tannine wohldosiert und der Abgang komplex mit einer majestätischen Eleganz, die sich mit den Jahren der Flaschenreife noch weiter verfeinert. 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

Enorm vielschichtig im Bouquet: Wir entdecken Cassis, Holunderbeeren, Herzkirschen und florale sowie mineralisch-erdige Noten. Im Mund fest, präzise und dennoch höchst elegant und balsamisch, mit sehr viel Saftigkeit und einem hochfeinen Tannin ausgestattet, welches bereits in seinen jungen Jahren unwiderstehlich ist. Wir haben selten einen Wein genossen, der so dicht und voll ist und zugleich über eine Balance verführt, die ihn einzigartig macht. Weitere Flaschenreife wird unweigerlich belohnt, wenngleich eine nochmalige Steigerung kaum vorstellbar scheint. SUPERIORE.DE

"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

"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

Enorm vielschichtig im Bouquet: Wir entdecken Cassis, Holunderbeeren, Herzkirschen und florale sowie mineralisch-erdige Noten. Im Mund fest, präzise und dennoch höchst elegant und balsamisch, mit sehr viel Saftigkeit und einem hochfeinen Tannin ausgestattet, welches bereits in seinen jungen Jahren unwiderstehlich ist. Wir haben selten einen Wein genossen, der so dicht und voll ist und zugleich über eine Balance verführt, die ihn einzigartig macht. Weitere Flaschenreife wird unweigerlich belohnt, wenngleich eine nochmalige Steigerung kaum vorstellbar scheint. SUPERIORE.DE

"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

"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