San Guido
History and Background
Tenuta San Guido is an iconic wine estate located in the Bolgheri DOC on the Tuscan coast of Italy. It is most famous for producing Sassicaia, a premier Bordeaux-style red wine that played a pivotal role in leading the Italian "Super Tuscan" movement.
The estate was established by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who moved to Bolgheri in the 1940s and was primarily influenced by his family’s noble background that traced connections to vineyards in Bordeaux. Intrigued by the potential for Bordeaux-style wines in this region, he began experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grape varieties.
The first Sassicaia was a single wine made from these grapes in 1948, but it was initially intended solely for private consumption by the family. Marchese Mario perfected the production over the next two decades, with the wine maturing in the cellar of the family estate. His aim was to create a wine that could stand on par with the fine Bordeaux, yet showcasing the unique terroir of Bolgheri. The 1968 Sassicaia made its public debut at an official wine competition, the Decanter in London, in 1978. This vintage made a significant impact, gaining international acclaim almost overnight. This success helped bolster the reputation of the entire Bolgheri region for having a conducive climate and terrain for producing high-quality Bordeaux-style wines.
Further validation came when Sassicaia's 1985 vintage was awarded a 100-point score by Decanter magazine, solidifying its status among the elites of the wine world. This acclaim led to the creation of the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, unique in that it is the only Italian DOC established solely for a single estate.
Today, Tenuta San Guido spans approximately 2,500 hectares, with around 90 hectares dedicated explicitly to vineyards. The estate remains owned by the Incisa della Rocchetta family, continuing a legacy of high-quality wine production under the stewardship of Nicolò, Marchese Mario's son.
Vineyards and Terroir
Tenuta San Guido's vineyards benefit from a complex soil structure predominantly comprised of rocky, stony terrain mixed with limestone, clay, loam, and gravel. This diverse soil composition plays a crucial role in vine stress and water drainage, contributing significantly to the mineral characteristics and complexity of the wines.
The vineyards are renowned primarily for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which together create the Sassicaia blend. These varieties are complemented by plantings of Merlot, which is used in the blend for their second wine, Guidalberto, and Sangiovese, utilized in producing the third wine, Le Difese.
Wine Style and Production
Tenuta San Guido is celebrated for producing wines that are:
- Their remarkable elegance, balance, and depth. Each bottle reflects a meticulous craftsmanship that harmoniously combines tradition and innovation.
- The wine production process emphasizes meticulous vineyard management and winemaking practices, ensuring high-quality output. Tenuta San Guido employs sustainable practices tailored to each vineyard plot to optimize the specific terroir expressiveness and health of the vines.
- Their flagship wine, Sassicaia, is aged in French oak barrels — previously for 24 months but adjusted to 18 months over recent years to preserve more fruit purity and freshness. This aging not only enhances the complexity and flavor profile of the wines but also contributes to their impressive longevity.
Reputation
Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido is often regarded as one of Italy's top wines and has played a pivotal role in establishing the reputation of the Bolgheri region. The wine consistently receives high accolades from critics and has a dedicated following among wine enthusiasts worldwide. Its combination of power and elegance sets it apart as a benchmark for Super Tuscan wines.
Final Thoughts
Tenuta San Guido, with its iconic Sassicaia, reflects the complexity of the Bolgheri terroir. For collectors looking to round out their collection of Super Tuscans, look no further than this iconic estate.