2021 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto

Here’s a trend I’ve detected lately…and hopefully a new normal that’ll stick around for awhile. The best deals in wine are coming out of Italy! With a slew of recent outstanding vintages, everyone can afford to buy mid 90’s scoring wines!!   

Introduced in 2000, Guidalberto is the second wine from legendary producer Tenuta San Guido after their wildly famous and successful Sassicaia.  Guidalberto, coined “Baby Sassicaia,” was created to be the more approachable, affordable alternative.  

Like all the wines produced by Tenuta San Guido, quality is first and foremost, plus they’ve done something very clever. As the block of vines dedicated to Sassicaia are replaced with younger vines, those grapes (typically 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot), are fittingly used for Baby Sassicaia.  Anyone with experience with this wine will attest to its brilliance not only as a wine, but also operationally as an estate.

2021 was a dry, hot year in Tuscany, but with above average rainfall in the winter, the vines flourished. Ideal maturity resulted, and a wine with excellent intensity, but at the same time, excellent freshness. Black and blue fruits dominate the nose with subtle hints of cedar and spice. It's compact and youthful on the palate with everything in perfect harmony.  

Ideally, I’d like to check in on this one in a couple of years as I think the balance that is currently being displayed will evolve into an even more elegant wine with a few more years to come. Careful though, it is drinking quite well right now!

Some are calling this the best Guidalberto the estate has ever produced!   

Vins Rare has proudly offered this wine for as long as I can remember because unfailingly, it offers quality above its price point. I highly recommend it! 

You won’t be disappointed here!