The World’s First Super Tuscan
Few estates have had a greater impact on modern Italian wine than Tenuta San Guido.
The historic Bolgheri estate is best known for Sassicaia, widely regarded as the wine that launched the Super Tuscan movement and helped transform the international reputation of Italian fine wine.
It’s that time of year again: the latest releases from Tenuta San Guido have arrived.
Naturally, the 100-point 2023 Sassicaia is going to grab the headlines. It’s one of Italy’s most iconic wines, and this highly acclaimed vintage belongs in the cellar. But what should you drink while you’re waiting?
That’s where the outstanding 2024 Guidalberto and 2024 Le Difese come in. Both offer a taste of the Tenuta San Guido style and pedigree at a fraction of Sassicaia’s price, with the added advantage of being much more approachable in their youth.
And the critics agree: James Suckling awarded the 2024 Guidalberto 95 points, while Decanter gave the 2024 Le Difese 92 points.
For Sassicaia fans—or anyone curious about what makes this legendary Bolgheri estate so special—these are three releases worth knowing.
The World’s First Super Tuscan
Few estates have had a greater impact on modern Italian wine than Tenuta San Guido.
The historic Bolgheri estate is best known for Sassicaia, widely regarded as the wine that launched the Super Tuscan movement and helped transform the international reputation of Italian fine wine.
The story began in the 1940s, when Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta made the then-radical decision to plant Bordeaux grape varieties on his Tuscan estate. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux and convinced that the gravelly soils of Bolgheri could produce something extraordinary, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
What began as a private experiment ultimately became one of the world’s most celebrated wines.
With the later involvement of legendary consulting oenologist Giacomo Tachis, Sassicaia continued to evolve and gain international recognition. Its success not only established Tenuta San Guido as one of Italy’s great estates—it helped put Bolgheri on the world fine-wine map.
2024 Guidalberto — 95 Points James Suckling | $82.99
The 2000 vintage marked the debut of Guidalberto, an IGT Toscana produced from vineyards specifically dedicated to the wine.
It takes its name from Guidalberto della Gherardesca, a maternal ancestor of Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta who cultivated vines in Bolgheri during the 19th century.
Guidalberto was never intended to be simply a “second Sassicaia.” It has its own identity and composition, but it comes from the same remarkable estate and is shaped by the same Bolgheri climate and terroir.
The 2024 Guidalberto earned an impressive 95 points from James Suckling, making it an especially compelling way to experience the pedigree of Tenuta San Guido without the price—or the patience—required for Sassicaia.
95 Points — James Suckling
$82.99
For anyone who loves Sassicaia, Guidalberto is a wine that deserves a place in the cellar—and unlike its famous sibling, you won’t have to wait nearly as long to pull the cork.
2024 Le Difese — 92 Points Decanter | $51.99
Introduced with the 2002 vintage, Le Difese completes the Tenuta San Guido trio.
Like Guidalberto, it carries the estate’s unmistakable pedigree while offering its own interpretation of the Tuscan landscape. It is designed to be approachable, versatile and particularly comfortable at the dinner table.
The 2024 Le Difese received 92 points from Decanter, and at $51.99, it offers an accessible entry point into one of Italy’s most prestigious estates.
92 Points — Decanter
$51.99
This is the bottle to open with dinner tonight: serious enough for the wine enthusiast, approachable enough for the table and carrying the unmistakable DNA of Tenuta San Guido.
Three Wines, Three Reasons to Buy
The 2023 Sassicaia is the headline act: a 100-point release from one of the most collectible estates in Italy and a wine built for the cellar.
But don’t overlook its siblings.
The 95-point 2024 Guidalberto at $82.99 delivers a more immediately accessible expression of Tenuta San Guido and serious pedigree for the money.
The 92-point 2024 Le Difese at $51.99 is even more approachable—a terrific introduction to the estate and a wine made for the dinner table.
Cellar the Sassicaia. Drink the Guidalberto. Put the Le Difese on the dinner table.
That sounds like a pretty good plan to us.