Guidalberto Tenuta San Guido (2021)

Guidalberto Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Tenuta San Guido is a remarkable Super Tuscan, born as the younger brother of the legendary Sassicaia. This wine represents a staggeringly high quality that breaks with the traditional norms of Italian quality wines. With an intense ruby red color and a seductive aroma of ripe berries, mocha, dark chocolate, tar and vanilla, Guidalberto appears as a wine with complex aromas.

Guidalberto shares its origins with Sassicaia on the Tuscan Mediterranean coast and carries on the legacy as a second wine to this legendary wine. It became world famous in 1972, when it surprised by surpassing 33 other Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines in a blind tasting. This was a harbinger of the coming era of super Tuscans that led to the establishment of the Bolgheri wine district.

Although Guidalberto is called duck wine, it is important to note that only a portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes originate from the same plots as Sassicaia. Merlot, which was never part of Sassicaia's plan, was introduced as a Pomerol-inspired little sister in the 1990s. Today, the grape blend is equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting a careful balance.

The 21st edition of Guidalberto, released in spring 2022, is beautiful and classic. While it may not deliver the typical sumptuous power and wow factor associated with super Tuscans, it impresses with its energy, freshness and beautiful balance. Aromas of sweet cherry, blackcurrant, currant, mint and rose interplay beautifully with notes of chocolate, vanilla and sweet spices from the barrel ageing, creating a sublime experience. Guidalberto is not just another wine, but a distinctive classic and cult wine from Italy.

About the Vinhuset

San Guido, behind the legendary cult wine Sassicaia, is a world-renowned producer and pioneer in Italian wine production. Sassicaia, the original Super Tuscan, has revolutionized the history of Tuscan wine and has become an icon of Italian wine. With several 100-point ratings from leading wine writers, including the significant recognition of Robert Parker, who awarded Sassicaia ('85) the maximum 100 points, the wine has cemented its place as Italy's most celebrated wine.

Tenuta San Guido, located in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, is home to Sassicaia and two other excellent wines: Guidalberto and Le Difese. The founder, Mario Incisa della Rochetta, was a pioneer. There, in the 40s, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc began to be planted, inspired by Bordeaux's famous 1st Crus. Using new French oak barrels, an innovative move in Italy, he created a wine of exceptional quality.

Sassicaia, with its unique Tuscan dialect meaning of "sandy and gravelly soil," was introduced to the market in 1968 and achieved international success as the first Super Tuscan. The vineyards of Tenuta San Guido cover around 90 hectares, divided into areas carefully selected based on exposure and soil composition.

The three wines from Tenuta San Guido

The three wines from Tenuta San Guido represent an impressive breadth.
1. the wine Sassicaia, is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.
2. the wine Guidalberto combines 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese.
3. the wine Le Difese, made from grapes from young vines, is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese.

These wines, with their unique characters and high quality, form an indispensable part of Tenuta San Guido's heritage.