Guidalberto

Guidalberto is the second wine of legendary Sassicaia. First released in 2000, to mark the new millennium, it was conceived to be more approachable than its big brother while offering great ageing potential. 20 years of analyses and experimentation later, Guidalberto has develop its own style to become another expression of the same land. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Guidalberto is a bold and fragrant wine with a velvety mouthfeel.

The 2021 has now landed in the UK and Carlo Paoli, Tenuta San Guido’s director of winemaking, stated it was the best Guidalberto he has ever produced, with less Merlot in the blend (40%) making it richer and deeper than previous years. Secure your stock now.

The Vineyard

The vines for Guidalberto benefit from a south/south-west exposure and lie between 100 and 300 metres high. The soils are mainly composed of limestone with some clay and are rich in marl and pebbles.

2021 Weather & Harvest

Winter was very harsh due to the arrival of a perturbation of polar origin which was felt again towards spring. Rain followed until mid-May before the sunny weather arrived. Summer was hot and dry and the grapes have reached perfect ripeness without excess sugar and with a nice pulp and well lignified pips.

Merlot was picked from the end of August and Cabernet Sauvignon from 22 September to be completed in the first days of October. Weather conditions were excellent allowing to pick grapes with excellent balance between sugar ripeness and phenolic maturity. The lignification of the seeds and stalks was optimal and resulted in the release of only noble tannins during destemming and maceration.

Winemaking

Soft pressing and destemming of the bunches was carried to avoid the pressure of the berries and excessive tannic transfer. Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts only. The macerations lasted for about 14-16 days for Merlot and about 16-18 days for Cabernet Sauvignon, with frequent pumping over in the air and délestage which made it possible to obtain balanced musts, excellent release of anthocyanins. The malolactic fermentation in stainless steel took place gradually and slowly, starting at the beginning of November and completed at the end of the month.

From mid-December, the wine was aged in 225-litre oak barrels made of French and 15% American oak (40% new) for 15 months.

Guidalberto 2021

A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Tenuta San Guido 2021 Guidalberto shows tart cherry fruit with darker tones of blackberry and plum. This vintage delivers especially chiseled and focused fruit characteristics that are elegantly framed by light spice, cola and earth. This vintage shows a heightened sense of intensity and territorial identity that is the hallmark of this storied estate. – 94 points Robert Parker

Aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries, chocolate, ground spices and crushed rocks. Medium- to full-bodied with compact but supple and polished tannins. Shows savory notes with hints of dried mushrooms and chocolate. Attractive with a lingering finish. Drink or hold. – 93 points James Suckling

According to Tenuta San Guido’s director of winemaking, Carlo Paoli, the 2021 is the best Guidalberto he has ever made. The percentage of Merlot was reduced back to the typical 40% this year because the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon was so good. The 2021 Guidalberto is very deeply coloured, almost black with a narrow purple rim. It took an hour or so to really open up, but when it did, it had a wonderful range of aromas and flavours. Cassis and blueberry, blue flowers, and violet and iris notes are followed by a palate full of perfectly ripe blackberries and blueberries wrapped in gentle, cream flavours. This is a wine of velvety richness balanced by vivid acidity, with very pure, focused flavours and aromas. Delightful! Drinking Window 2024-2038 – 95 points Decanter