Toscana IGT Le Difese 2023 Tenuta San Guido

Tenuta San Guido is one of the most famous Italian cellars in the world. It is located in Bolgheri, just down the avenue of cypresses made immortal by the verses of Giosuè Carducci. The vineyards are cultivated in the splendid landscape of the Etruscan coast, which rises from the Tyrrhenian Sea up to the first gentle hills of the hinterland. The suitable soils, the Mediterranean climate, warm, dry, but always mitigated by the sea breezes and the gentle exposures, have proved to be perfect for quality viticulture. The most famous wine of Tenuta San Giudo is certainly Sassicaia. The famous label born thanks to the intuition and passion of the Marquis Incisa della Rochetta, who wanted to produce a great Tuscan red with the noble Bordeaux vines. The land and the particular microclimate of the area have proved to be perfect for growing cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot.

In the wake of the great success of Sassicaia, the red Le Difese was born in 2002. The wine is produced from a blend of cabernet sauvignon and Sangiovese and stands as the perfect synthesis between the international grapes grown on the estate and the red berried grape, prince of the great Tuscan tradition and true symbol of the territory. The vineyards are located in a splendid hilly area between 100 and 300 meters above sea level, with perfect south, south-west exposure. They are bred with a spurred cordon with a high plant density of 5,500-6,250 plants per hectare and low yields to always have a high quality level of the grapes.

After the manual harvest, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature, with maceration on the skins for 12–14 days for the cabernet sauvignon and 15–18 days for the Sangiovese. The wine ages for about 12 months in French oak barrels and completes the ageing with a few months in the bottle before being put on sale.

In the glass it shows a beautiful ruby red, intense and brilliant. The nose opens with aromas of small dark berry fruit, floral aromas, delicately spicy scents, flavours of Mediterranean scrub herbs and balsamic hints. The sip is harmonious, with a soft entrance and satisfying fruit. The tannins are elegant and well integrated with the body of the wine, which maintains a pleasant freshness and ease of drinking.

It goes very well with first courses with traditional Tuscan meat and game sauce or with roasted and grilled meats.