Tenuta San Guido - Guidalberto 2014
Pairing Suggestions
Tenuta San Guido - Guidalberto 2014 (90 TSW)
Second wine of Tenuta San Guido behind the flagship wine Sassicaia.
The 2014 Guidalberto is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, although the percentage of Merlot was reduced slightly in this vintage from 40% to 30%. Cabernet Sauvignon fared well during this difficult growing season, thanks to the advanced age of the vines and the hillside positioning of the vineyards. The Merlot was a bit problematic.
The first vintage dates from 2000. The grapes used for the production of this wine come partly from own vineyards and partly from rented vineyards of relatives of the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta. They are all located in Bolgheri, within the boundaries of the DOC Sassicaia. All these factors (vineyards and grape varieties) are different from the Sassicaia and so we cannot speak of a second wine from Sassicaia.
The use of American oak in the aging of this wine is also new and gives it a different character. Yet the elegance and finesse that are so typical of Tenuta San Guido wines are evident. Guidalberto della Gherardesca lived in the early 19th century and was an ancestor of the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta. He was a pioneer of agriculture and viticulture. The wine pays homage to this special man.
About the wine:
Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless-steal vats. Maceration lasted for 17 days for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14 days for Sangiovese. The wine was then aged for 14 months in French and American oak "barriques", one third of which being new ones.
My tasting notes:
This 2014 is drinkning very well at the moment.
In the glass medium dark ruby red color.
On the medium nose aromas of ripe plums, cherries and leather with hints of cigarbox, violets, vanilla and liquorice.
On the palate dry, medium bodied with medium acidity and soft tannins. Round and soft in the mouth with a medium(+) length finish.
This Tuscan red will be great with beef, lamb, veal, poultry our salted meat.