Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto Toscana IGT 2020

A super Tuscan wine that's at once powerful and accessible! Tenuta San Guido  Guidalberto comprises of a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the grapes come from vineyards situated between 100–300 meters above the sea level with a south-southwest exposure. After a manual harvest and careful sorting, the berries go through a gentle crushing. First fermentation occurred in temperature controlled stainless steel vats between 30–31°C only using the vineyard’s native yeast. Maceration on skins lasted 10–13 days for Merlot and 13–15 days for Cabernet. Pumpovers, délestages and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats. Ageing for 15 months in French and partially American oak barrels.

Nicolò Incisa, director of Tenuta San Guido of forty years, was inspired by his great great great grandfather Guidalberto della Gherardesca to create a new wine in 2000: "The wine was created for two reasons: first of all, the desire to see what we could accomplish with Merlot, a grape that we had never used before; second, the desire to offer the consumer a wine which could be appreciated at a younger age compared to our veteran Sassicaia.” Known as the younger sibling of the legendary Sassicaia, Guidalberto is a wine of real concentration and structure that's almost as powerful as its veteran brother. Full and generous bouquet of ripe dark cherry, dates and blackberries with a backbone of leather, toast and spice. Silky and nuanced mouthfeel balanced with layers of cherry and wild berry fruit, stewed plums, oak and dark chocolate. Fine tannins and fresh acidity lend to complexity and pedigree of this impressive medium-bodied wine.   14%

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

This is extremely perfumed with aromas of lavender, cinnamon, blackberries, bark and blackcurrants. Full-bodied, extremely refined and polished. Gorgeous fruit and balance. Best ever bottling of this pretty wine from the producers of Sassicaia? Drink or hold. - 94 POINTS This wine is showing exceptionally well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Guidalberto (Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller percentage of Merlot) opens to a full and generous bouquet and a beautifully rich and velvety appearance. This edition of Tenuta San Guido's mid-level wine offers a bigger aromatic profile, more texture and more volume as well. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, leather and sweet fruit at the end. The mouthfeel is elegantly shaped, silky and nuanced. This may well be the best vintage of Guidalberto I have yet to taste—and you can get this wine at a great price too.  - 94 POINTS The long, moderate 2016 growing season produced a voluptuous Guidalberto, with velvety tannins and juicy red and black berry flavors. It has no hard edges at all, just ripe fruit flavors and warm earthy tones that emanate an inner energy and freshness. Layered and complex already, this wine has a long life ahead. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot opens with aromas of black currant, star anise and a whiff of incense. It's savory and elegant, doling out flavors of dried black cherry, raspberry jam, white pepper and licorice. Fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide balanced support. Enjoy through 2027.  - 93 POINTS From near the Bolgheri coast, this shows San Guido’s trademark elegance. Spices, leather, floral notes; ripe, pure cassis and glossy tannins. A great-value alternative to Sassicaia. - 91 POINTS Shy on the nose and a touch grassy, this is lean and elegant, with black cherry, black currant, earth and spice flavors. Dense tannins underscore everything, and this finishes long. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2024. - 91 POINTS