Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2016 - Tuscany, Italy
$67
$88
92-93/100 James Suckling
91/100 Wine & Spirits
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate
90/100 Wine Spectator
Bronze - Natalie MacLean
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine
Bronze CellarTracker
91-92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2014 vintage)
Bronze- Decanter (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2014 vintage)
Commended - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic and bright with strawberry, cherry and currant character. Hints of oranges. Full-bodied, linear and tight, showing ultra-fine tannins."
Wine & Spirits "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."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this offers enticing aromas of black-skinned berry, iris and cedar. The savory, balanced palate delivers red currant, dried black cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins."
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the 2016 Le Difese shows a more evident touch of ripe fruit that you don't perceive in the Guidalberto, which makes me think it comes from the Sangiovese component that is only used in this wine. The overall effect of that ripeness is that it downplays the wine's inner complexity. But this entry-level red from Tenuta San Guido was never aiming for huge complexity to begin with. Dark cherry and cherry is followed by wild strawberry and tangy rose hip. This wine happily delivers on its promises of freshness and accessibility."
Wine Spectator "A fresh, vibrant version, offering cherry, strawberry, spice and mineral flavors. Youthful, with assertive tannins, so decant or age short term"
Natalie MacLean "Produced by Tenuta San Guido, Le Difese 2016 is initially fermented in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine is a juicy, full-bodied and mouth-watering, entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese red wine blend from the Tuscany wine region with dark cherry, strawberry and rosehip tea flavours on the palate. Vibrant acidity and food friendly for a pasta and tangy tomato and meat sauce dish."
vvWine "Medium ruby, lightened edge. Open nose, lots of ripe cherries, also forest fruits, and some rose hips, good complexity. Accessible and fruity on the palate, light body, moderately pronounced tannins, the acidity is harmonious, the fruit is clearly red berry, finishes surprisingly long on ripe raspberries. A very nice basic wine for uncomplicated enjoyment."
James Suckling "A round and delicious wine with bright fruit and fine tannins. Medium body, lovely flavors and a fresh finish. Blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese. We will see how it ages but already beautiful."(2015 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this boasts inviting aromas of blue flower, cedar and red-skinned berry. The bright palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, red raspberry, a hint of mocha and star anise alongside silky, polished tannins."(2015 vintage)
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2015 Le Difese (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese) offers a smooth and symmetrical interpretation of the vintage with bright fruit flavors of forest berry and wild cherry backed by mild spice and grilled herb. This is an informal and moderately concentrated effort that sports fresh appeal and good acidity. It would make a great pairing partner to a hearty home-cooked pasta dish."(2015 vintage)
Decanter "This is the most recent addition to Tenuta San Guido’s portfolio and takes its name from the local wild boar which roam the hills of Bolgheri. The intention is to create a wine that is meant to be drunk young. The blend is 70% Cabernet, with the remainder being Sangiovese from bought in fruit. The 2015 is very much a vin de soif, with crisp acidity and a palate of easy drinking, juicy red fruits."(2015 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2014 Le Difese is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese that shows bright berry nuances and a tangy, energized personality. The bouquet is simple and straightforward with a low-key fruit profile that does not stray from the original intention of this wine—to create a home for the estate's Sangiovese and to offer a simple, food-friendly, entry-level red. This vintage saw extreme fruit selection in order to maintain quality. As a result, production of this wine is down to 120,000 bottles made from previous production numbers of 400,000 bottles."(2014 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this supple, easy-drinking red offers pretty scents of fragrant purple flower and red berry. The round easygoing palate offers wild cherry and a hint of a red currant alongside bright acidity and soft tannins. Drink now."(2014 vintage)
Winemaker "Bright red with purple nuances. Crisp acidity and pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits . A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young.
Pair with grilled steak or steak salad, hamburgers and other casual but flavorful beef dishes. Has good acidity to compliment marinara and bolognese sauces."
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 12.5%
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet – Merlot – Sangiovese is the composition of many of the so-called "Super Tuscan" wines of central Italy. The blend can be made to any number of variations, but the combination typically draws on the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, the sweet, juicy fruit flavors of Merlot and the rustic, sour-cherry tang of Sangiovese. Sangiovese is the defining grape in the blend and gives the wine a distinctively Italian accent.
91/100 Wine & Spirits
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate
90/100 Wine Spectator
Bronze - Natalie MacLean
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine
Bronze CellarTracker
91-92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2014 vintage)
Bronze- Decanter (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2014 vintage)
Commended - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic and bright with strawberry, cherry and currant character. Hints of oranges. Full-bodied, linear and tight, showing ultra-fine tannins."
Wine & Spirits "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."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this offers enticing aromas of black-skinned berry, iris and cedar. The savory, balanced palate delivers red currant, dried black cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins."
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the 2016 Le Difese shows a more evident touch of ripe fruit that you don't perceive in the Guidalberto, which makes me think it comes from the Sangiovese component that is only used in this wine. The overall effect of that ripeness is that it downplays the wine's inner complexity. But this entry-level red from Tenuta San Guido was never aiming for huge complexity to begin with. Dark cherry and cherry is followed by wild strawberry and tangy rose hip. This wine happily delivers on its promises of freshness and accessibility."
Wine Spectator "A fresh, vibrant version, offering cherry, strawberry, spice and mineral flavors. Youthful, with assertive tannins, so decant or age short term"
Natalie MacLean "Produced by Tenuta San Guido, Le Difese 2016 is initially fermented in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine is a juicy, full-bodied and mouth-watering, entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese red wine blend from the Tuscany wine region with dark cherry, strawberry and rosehip tea flavours on the palate. Vibrant acidity and food friendly for a pasta and tangy tomato and meat sauce dish."
vvWine "Medium ruby, lightened edge. Open nose, lots of ripe cherries, also forest fruits, and some rose hips, good complexity. Accessible and fruity on the palate, light body, moderately pronounced tannins, the acidity is harmonious, the fruit is clearly red berry, finishes surprisingly long on ripe raspberries. A very nice basic wine for uncomplicated enjoyment."
James Suckling "A round and delicious wine with bright fruit and fine tannins. Medium body, lovely flavors and a fresh finish. Blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese. We will see how it ages but already beautiful."(2015 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this boasts inviting aromas of blue flower, cedar and red-skinned berry. The bright palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, red raspberry, a hint of mocha and star anise alongside silky, polished tannins."(2015 vintage)
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2015 Le Difese (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese) offers a smooth and symmetrical interpretation of the vintage with bright fruit flavors of forest berry and wild cherry backed by mild spice and grilled herb. This is an informal and moderately concentrated effort that sports fresh appeal and good acidity. It would make a great pairing partner to a hearty home-cooked pasta dish."(2015 vintage)
Decanter "This is the most recent addition to Tenuta San Guido’s portfolio and takes its name from the local wild boar which roam the hills of Bolgheri. The intention is to create a wine that is meant to be drunk young. The blend is 70% Cabernet, with the remainder being Sangiovese from bought in fruit. The 2015 is very much a vin de soif, with crisp acidity and a palate of easy drinking, juicy red fruits."(2015 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2014 Le Difese is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese that shows bright berry nuances and a tangy, energized personality. The bouquet is simple and straightforward with a low-key fruit profile that does not stray from the original intention of this wine—to create a home for the estate's Sangiovese and to offer a simple, food-friendly, entry-level red. This vintage saw extreme fruit selection in order to maintain quality. As a result, production of this wine is down to 120,000 bottles made from previous production numbers of 400,000 bottles."(2014 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this supple, easy-drinking red offers pretty scents of fragrant purple flower and red berry. The round easygoing palate offers wild cherry and a hint of a red currant alongside bright acidity and soft tannins. Drink now."(2014 vintage)
Winemaker "Bright red with purple nuances. Crisp acidity and pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits . A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young.
Pair with grilled steak or steak salad, hamburgers and other casual but flavorful beef dishes. Has good acidity to compliment marinara and bolognese sauces."
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 12.5%
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet – Merlot – Sangiovese is the composition of many of the so-called "Super Tuscan" wines of central Italy. The blend can be made to any number of variations, but the combination typically draws on the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, the sweet, juicy fruit flavors of Merlot and the rustic, sour-cherry tang of Sangiovese. Sangiovese is the defining grape in the blend and gives the wine a distinctively Italian accent.
92-93/100 James Suckling
91/100 Wine & Spirits
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate
90/100 Wine Spectator
Bronze - Natalie MacLean
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine
Bronze CellarTracker
91-92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2014 vintage)
Bronze- Decanter (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2014 vintage)
Commended - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic and bright with strawberry, cherry and currant character. Hints of oranges. Full-bodied, linear and tight, showing ultra-fine tannins."
Wine & Spirits "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."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this offers enticing aromas of black-skinned berry, iris and cedar. The savory, balanced palate delivers red currant, dried black cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins."
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the 2016 Le Difese shows a more evident touch of ripe fruit that you don't perceive in the Guidalberto, which makes me think it comes from the Sangiovese component that is only used in this wine. The overall effect of that ripeness is that it downplays the wine's inner complexity. But this entry-level red from Tenuta San Guido was never aiming for huge complexity to begin with. Dark cherry and cherry is followed by wild strawberry and tangy rose hip. This wine happily delivers on its promises of freshness and accessibility."
Wine Spectator "A fresh, vibrant version, offering cherry, strawberry, spice and mineral flavors. Youthful, with assertive tannins, so decant or age short term"
Natalie MacLean "Produced by Tenuta San Guido, Le Difese 2016 is initially fermented in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine is a juicy, full-bodied and mouth-watering, entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese red wine blend from the Tuscany wine region with dark cherry, strawberry and rosehip tea flavours on the palate. Vibrant acidity and food friendly for a pasta and tangy tomato and meat sauce dish."
vvWine "Medium ruby, lightened edge. Open nose, lots of ripe cherries, also forest fruits, and some rose hips, good complexity. Accessible and fruity on the palate, light body, moderately pronounced tannins, the acidity is harmonious, the fruit is clearly red berry, finishes surprisingly long on ripe raspberries. A very nice basic wine for uncomplicated enjoyment."
James Suckling "A round and delicious wine with bright fruit and fine tannins. Medium body, lovely flavors and a fresh finish. Blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese. We will see how it ages but already beautiful."(2015 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this boasts inviting aromas of blue flower, cedar and red-skinned berry. The bright palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, red raspberry, a hint of mocha and star anise alongside silky, polished tannins."(2015 vintage)
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2015 Le Difese (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese) offers a smooth and symmetrical interpretation of the vintage with bright fruit flavors of forest berry and wild cherry backed by mild spice and grilled herb. This is an informal and moderately concentrated effort that sports fresh appeal and good acidity. It would make a great pairing partner to a hearty home-cooked pasta dish."(2015 vintage)
Decanter "This is the most recent addition to Tenuta San Guido’s portfolio and takes its name from the local wild boar which roam the hills of Bolgheri. The intention is to create a wine that is meant to be drunk young. The blend is 70% Cabernet, with the remainder being Sangiovese from bought in fruit. The 2015 is very much a vin de soif, with crisp acidity and a palate of easy drinking, juicy red fruits."(2015 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2014 Le Difese is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese that shows bright berry nuances and a tangy, energized personality. The bouquet is simple and straightforward with a low-key fruit profile that does not stray from the original intention of this wine—to create a home for the estate's Sangiovese and to offer a simple, food-friendly, entry-level red. This vintage saw extreme fruit selection in order to maintain quality. As a result, production of this wine is down to 120,000 bottles made from previous production numbers of 400,000 bottles."(2014 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this supple, easy-drinking red offers pretty scents of fragrant purple flower and red berry. The round easygoing palate offers wild cherry and a hint of a red currant alongside bright acidity and soft tannins. Drink now."(2014 vintage)
Winemaker "Bright red with purple nuances. Crisp acidity and pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits . A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young.
Pair with grilled steak or steak salad, hamburgers and other casual but flavorful beef dishes. Has good acidity to compliment marinara and bolognese sauces."
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 12.5%
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet – Merlot – Sangiovese is the composition of many of the so-called "Super Tuscan" wines of central Italy. The blend can be made to any number of variations, but the combination typically draws on the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, the sweet, juicy fruit flavors of Merlot and the rustic, sour-cherry tang of Sangiovese. Sangiovese is the defining grape in the blend and gives the wine a distinctively Italian accent.
91/100 Wine & Spirits
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate
90/100 Wine Spectator
Bronze - Natalie MacLean
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine
Bronze CellarTracker
91-92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
91/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate (2014 vintage)
Bronze- Decanter (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2014 vintage)
Commended - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic and bright with strawberry, cherry and currant character. Hints of oranges. Full-bodied, linear and tight, showing ultra-fine tannins."
Wine & Spirits "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."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this offers enticing aromas of black-skinned berry, iris and cedar. The savory, balanced palate delivers red currant, dried black cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins."
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the 2016 Le Difese shows a more evident touch of ripe fruit that you don't perceive in the Guidalberto, which makes me think it comes from the Sangiovese component that is only used in this wine. The overall effect of that ripeness is that it downplays the wine's inner complexity. But this entry-level red from Tenuta San Guido was never aiming for huge complexity to begin with. Dark cherry and cherry is followed by wild strawberry and tangy rose hip. This wine happily delivers on its promises of freshness and accessibility."
Wine Spectator "A fresh, vibrant version, offering cherry, strawberry, spice and mineral flavors. Youthful, with assertive tannins, so decant or age short term"
Natalie MacLean "Produced by Tenuta San Guido, Le Difese 2016 is initially fermented in stainless-steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine is a juicy, full-bodied and mouth-watering, entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese red wine blend from the Tuscany wine region with dark cherry, strawberry and rosehip tea flavours on the palate. Vibrant acidity and food friendly for a pasta and tangy tomato and meat sauce dish."
vvWine "Medium ruby, lightened edge. Open nose, lots of ripe cherries, also forest fruits, and some rose hips, good complexity. Accessible and fruity on the palate, light body, moderately pronounced tannins, the acidity is harmonious, the fruit is clearly red berry, finishes surprisingly long on ripe raspberries. A very nice basic wine for uncomplicated enjoyment."
James Suckling "A round and delicious wine with bright fruit and fine tannins. Medium body, lovely flavors and a fresh finish. Blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese. We will see how it ages but already beautiful."(2015 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "...this boasts inviting aromas of blue flower, cedar and red-skinned berry. The bright palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, red raspberry, a hint of mocha and star anise alongside silky, polished tannins."(2015 vintage)
Rober Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2015 Le Difese (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese) offers a smooth and symmetrical interpretation of the vintage with bright fruit flavors of forest berry and wild cherry backed by mild spice and grilled herb. This is an informal and moderately concentrated effort that sports fresh appeal and good acidity. It would make a great pairing partner to a hearty home-cooked pasta dish."(2015 vintage)
Decanter "This is the most recent addition to Tenuta San Guido’s portfolio and takes its name from the local wild boar which roam the hills of Bolgheri. The intention is to create a wine that is meant to be drunk young. The blend is 70% Cabernet, with the remainder being Sangiovese from bought in fruit. The 2015 is very much a vin de soif, with crisp acidity and a palate of easy drinking, juicy red fruits."(2015 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The 2014 Le Difese is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese that shows bright berry nuances and a tangy, energized personality. The bouquet is simple and straightforward with a low-key fruit profile that does not stray from the original intention of this wine—to create a home for the estate's Sangiovese and to offer a simple, food-friendly, entry-level red. This vintage saw extreme fruit selection in order to maintain quality. As a result, production of this wine is down to 120,000 bottles made from previous production numbers of 400,000 bottles."(2014 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this supple, easy-drinking red offers pretty scents of fragrant purple flower and red berry. The round easygoing palate offers wild cherry and a hint of a red currant alongside bright acidity and soft tannins. Drink now."(2014 vintage)
Winemaker "Bright red with purple nuances. Crisp acidity and pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits . A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young.
Pair with grilled steak or steak salad, hamburgers and other casual but flavorful beef dishes. Has good acidity to compliment marinara and bolognese sauces."
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 12.5%
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet – Merlot – Sangiovese is the composition of many of the so-called "Super Tuscan" wines of central Italy. The blend can be made to any number of variations, but the combination typically draws on the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, the sweet, juicy fruit flavors of Merlot and the rustic, sour-cherry tang of Sangiovese. Sangiovese is the defining grape in the blend and gives the wine a distinctively Italian accent.