The label of Guidalberto depicts the Oratory of San Guido, and the wine is named after the family ancestor Guidalberto della Gherardesca, an agricultural pioneer in the Bolgheri area. It was in the first decades of the 1800’s when he built the first factories, and churches, and planned the avenue of cypress trees, the Viale dei Cipressi. These trees were initially used to mark the boundaries between the different crops. Guidalberto is from the producers of the legendary Sassicaia, with a more approachable drinkability and a great aging potential. It is a great expression of the Tenuta San Guido territory.
The 2023 Guidalberto showcases a deep purple-red hue with an intricate aroma of lavender, blackcurrant, thyme, and citrus hints. Its fresh palate balances acidity and salinity, with well-integrated tannins leading to a clean, refined finish. While enjoyable now, its density and subtle sweetness ensure excellent ageing potential. Pair with Bolognese and other meat sauce pastas, grilled pork and beef, and roasts.
Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot
96 Decanter Super-fresh with balsamic herb, blueberry and floral aromatics, Guidalberto 2023 has blossomed into a grand vin all of its own. Invigorating cool forest berry flavours mingle with touches of spice and fine, silky tannins. So poised. Wow! Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040
96 James Suckling This vintage shows a remarkable aromatic profile of Mediterranean herbs, cassis, black cherries, leather and earth with a kind of gamey depth. Full-bodied, it shows velvety, slightly sandy tannins with a firm structure, refreshing integrated acidity and a savory cedar finish.
94 Jeb Dunnuck The 2023 Guidalberto was tasted as a preview and was a preliminary blend of barrel samples prepared for this tasting by the winery team, led by Carlo Paoli. The second sample that was blended was pure and ripe, with detailed layers of youthful cherry liqueur, fresh herbs, and lavender perfume. The palate offers medium to full-bodied richness, with a supple and primary feel, though it starts to reveal its underlying refined structure. While this was an early preliminary look at what the wine could look like, I’m looking forward to next year’s tasting to see how it develops. Barrel Sample: 92-94
94 Wine Enthusiast On the nose, the density of blackberries and damp earth is balanced by the clean snap of pencil eraser and wild mint. The palate brings tangy, tart blackberries, black plums and citrus, alongside more wild mint and fennel, while smooth tannins sit back and watch a hot, acidic river carry the finish.
94 Falstaff A rich ruby red with a slight purple hue. Rich on the nose with notes of blackberries and blueberries, cedar, some cigar in the background. Lots of fine tannins on the palate, very polished and elegant, lots of bright fruit, juicy finish.
93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The Tenuta San Guido 2023 Guidalberto comes from a challenging vintage, shaped by heat and rain that brought pressure from downy mildew, particularly affecting early-ripening Merlot. Big efforts were made during selection. Aromatically plump and expressive, the wine shows ripe cherry and blackberry preserves layered over a medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel, with primary fruit rounded by sweet notes of cinnamon. Despite the difficulties of the year, there is appealing freshness on the palate with hints of orange peel and blood orange that lift the fruit, giving the wine energy and balance.
92 Wine Spectator Pure and juicy, revealing black cherry, blackberry, floral and Mediterranean herb notes, plus touches of spices. Light-bodied, elegant and deftly balanced, with a lingering, mouthwatering finish. This is approachable now but will benefit from another 6–12 months aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. 5,400 cases imported.
92 Vinous The 2023 Guidalberto is another terrific wine from Tenuta San Guido in this vintage. Aromatic, medium in body and gracious, the 2023 is pure charm. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, spice and blood orange all pulse through a vibrant, refreshing Guidalberto that will drink well on release. The more refined side of Bolgheri is very much on display. This is a fine effort in a year marked by heavy rains and elevated disease pressure. What a delight.
