Description
Tenuta San Guido is the winery behind one of the Italian wines considered to be in the top echelon of Cabernet-based wine in the world, Sassicaia. Based in Tuscany, where Sangiovese is key grape, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta decided he wanted to make wine from Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. From 1948 until 1968 this wine was just drunk at the winery, but upon general release it was immediately venerated as the ground breaking Italian wine. Sassicaia though is based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and therefore takes time develop. Thus the winery decided to develop other wines for earlier drinking. The Guidalberto is Tenuta San Guido’s second wine, first created in 2000 by Nicolo Incisa and Sebastiano Rosa from estate-grown fruit, some of which comes from younger vines and is a little lower in altitude. The blend is also significantly different, comprising 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot to create a wine which is clearly more approachable than the Tenuta’s grand vin.
Tasting Note
Whether a second wine or not, this is a seriously good wine from an extremely good vintage. In addition to soft plump tannins, this exhibits freshness as well as generous plum and black cherry fruit. Tobacco and cedar notes lead onto a fine, tapering finish.