Guidalberto 2019
SKU:
SGD 95.00
SGD 90.00
SGD 90.00
per item
Vintage: 2019
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Appellation: IGT Toscana
Drinking Window: 2023-2032
Alcohol Content: 13% Vol
Scores (if you care about): 95/100 Wine Enthusiast; 93/100 James Suckling
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Appellation: IGT Toscana
Drinking Window: 2023-2032
Alcohol Content: 13% Vol
Scores (if you care about): 95/100 Wine Enthusiast; 93/100 James Suckling
When you are stuck with an older sibling who is way too famous, finding your own space can be a wee bit tough.
(Ofcourse, people always say, the second born sometimes gets more than her fair share of love 💕).
But you still need to make your own mark 🎯 Yet Guidalberto, in less than two decades has done just that. Regularly traded in the same league as the big boys from Tuscany and Bordeaux, it seems fame 🏆 sits pretty easy with Guidalberto 🙌
I get the producer's inspiration and reason why the bottle was born but not as much the reason for the blend (a blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot). A logical one would have been a blend similar to Sassicaia (Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc).. Also would have been an easier sell as a second wine vs a second label.
So our own theory (pardon and, indulge us on this one @Sassicaiawinery) is while Sassicaia was the reason for being, maybe the success of the cousin Ornellaia also had something to do with the inspiration, apart from the terroir ofcourse.
We certainly had our own unique moment when we opened an Ornellaia 2010 and a Guidalberto 2013 (among others) the same night for tasting. After six hrs of decanting and when all the guests had left, I casually walked up to the bottles and poured a glass from the left over. After 5 mins, when I took my first sip, I was shocked at how beautiful and smooth the Guidalberto had become. So much so I walked back to the bottles to check i indeed poured myself a glass of Guidalberto and not Ornellaia.
If you are yet to try or have still not heard of this second label from Sassicaia stable, you have been working way too hard!!!
Give yourself a dose of this inspired effort! Kudos to the producers for launching a bottle that is also so approachable on pricing for regular drinking 👏 🙏👌🍷
Do your wine buds a favor, get a Guidalberto 🍷, like now!
Tasting Notes & Reviews:
2019 Vintage
"This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It’s nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029. Editors’ Choice." 95/100 Kerrin O' Keefe, Wine Enthusaist
"Plum, currant and fresh-herb aromas follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, linear finish. It’s clear and already delicious, but another year or two will improve it." 93/100, James Suckling, Oct'21
"Mid ruby with a touch of sediment – a sample blend, rather than a finished wine, as with the last two release presentations. Quite reticent on the nose, just giving hints of what it’s got – a flash of creamy vanilla, a scent of ripe, plummy, black fruit and some toasted tobacco. Full bodied, with mouth-coating but fine-grained tannins. Plump and velvety – Merlot making its presence felt here. Pretty good length too. This is embryonic and a little closed, but I think has plenty to give – an attractive Guidalberto that will reward cellaring." 17+/20 Tim Jackson, Jancis Robinson, Feb'21
2018 Vintage
"San Guido’s 2018 Guidalberto is soft, open-knit and inviting. Sweet dark cherry, cinnamon, licorice and new leather fill out the layers in an undeniably attractive Guidalberto that will drink beautifully upon release. Finesse and elegance are the signatures. The 2018 is a terrific choice for drinking now, while some of the more powerful vintages of Guidalberto come together, or while waiting for its sibling, Sassicaia." 92/100, Antonio Galloni, Jan 2021
"A deft and bright blend to serve with a platter of creamy Camembert wedges, the 2018 Guidalberto is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon supplemented with 40% Merlot, showing a smooth and silky delivery of aromas with black fruit and sour cherry backed by spice, pressed flower and tilled earth. These are fragrant and delicate results fitted to a medium-weight finish that is driven by freshness and elegant tannins. This is an important release of 415,000 bottles." 92/100, Monica Larner, Robert Parker, Dec 2020
"Easy and layered with cherry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, soft tannins and a savory finish. Drink now." 91/100, James Suckling, May 2020
(Ofcourse, people always say, the second born sometimes gets more than her fair share of love 💕).
But you still need to make your own mark 🎯 Yet Guidalberto, in less than two decades has done just that. Regularly traded in the same league as the big boys from Tuscany and Bordeaux, it seems fame 🏆 sits pretty easy with Guidalberto 🙌
I get the producer's inspiration and reason why the bottle was born but not as much the reason for the blend (a blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot). A logical one would have been a blend similar to Sassicaia (Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc).. Also would have been an easier sell as a second wine vs a second label.
So our own theory (pardon and, indulge us on this one @Sassicaiawinery) is while Sassicaia was the reason for being, maybe the success of the cousin Ornellaia also had something to do with the inspiration, apart from the terroir ofcourse.
We certainly had our own unique moment when we opened an Ornellaia 2010 and a Guidalberto 2013 (among others) the same night for tasting. After six hrs of decanting and when all the guests had left, I casually walked up to the bottles and poured a glass from the left over. After 5 mins, when I took my first sip, I was shocked at how beautiful and smooth the Guidalberto had become. So much so I walked back to the bottles to check i indeed poured myself a glass of Guidalberto and not Ornellaia.
If you are yet to try or have still not heard of this second label from Sassicaia stable, you have been working way too hard!!!
Give yourself a dose of this inspired effort! Kudos to the producers for launching a bottle that is also so approachable on pricing for regular drinking 👏 🙏👌🍷
Do your wine buds a favor, get a Guidalberto 🍷, like now!
Tasting Notes & Reviews:
2019 Vintage
"This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It’s nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029. Editors’ Choice." 95/100 Kerrin O' Keefe, Wine Enthusaist
"Plum, currant and fresh-herb aromas follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, linear finish. It’s clear and already delicious, but another year or two will improve it." 93/100, James Suckling, Oct'21
"Mid ruby with a touch of sediment – a sample blend, rather than a finished wine, as with the last two release presentations. Quite reticent on the nose, just giving hints of what it’s got – a flash of creamy vanilla, a scent of ripe, plummy, black fruit and some toasted tobacco. Full bodied, with mouth-coating but fine-grained tannins. Plump and velvety – Merlot making its presence felt here. Pretty good length too. This is embryonic and a little closed, but I think has plenty to give – an attractive Guidalberto that will reward cellaring." 17+/20 Tim Jackson, Jancis Robinson, Feb'21
2018 Vintage
"San Guido’s 2018 Guidalberto is soft, open-knit and inviting. Sweet dark cherry, cinnamon, licorice and new leather fill out the layers in an undeniably attractive Guidalberto that will drink beautifully upon release. Finesse and elegance are the signatures. The 2018 is a terrific choice for drinking now, while some of the more powerful vintages of Guidalberto come together, or while waiting for its sibling, Sassicaia." 92/100, Antonio Galloni, Jan 2021
"A deft and bright blend to serve with a platter of creamy Camembert wedges, the 2018 Guidalberto is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon supplemented with 40% Merlot, showing a smooth and silky delivery of aromas with black fruit and sour cherry backed by spice, pressed flower and tilled earth. These are fragrant and delicate results fitted to a medium-weight finish that is driven by freshness and elegant tannins. This is an important release of 415,000 bottles." 92/100, Monica Larner, Robert Parker, Dec 2020
"Easy and layered with cherry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, soft tannins and a savory finish. Drink now." 91/100, James Suckling, May 2020