Guidalberto is the second wine of Tenuta San Guido, the Bolgheri estate that produces Sassicaia, and occupies a distinct position within the estate’s range as a wine of genuine ambition and quality rather than merely a commercial second label. Produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown on the estate’s own Bolgheri vineyards, Guidalberto is aged for 14 months in French barriques, approximately one third new, and is designed to provide access to Tenuta San Guido’s winemaking philosophy and terroir at a price point substantially below that of Sassicaia. The wine was first produced in 2000 as a more Merlot-forward expression than the estate’s Cabernet-dominant Grand Vin, and has since established itself as one of the finest value wines produced by any estate of Sassicaia’s standing anywhere in the world.

The 2022 vintage in Bolgheri was characterised by the same heat and drought that affected much of the 2022 growing season in Tuscany, and Tenuta San Guido responded with careful canopy management and earlier harvesting to preserve the freshness and aromatic precision that the Guidalberto style requires. The result is a 2022 of excellent depth and concentration that retains the elegance and accessibility that distinguishes this wine from the more demanding structure of Sassicaia, while reflecting the warmth of the vintage in its generosity of fruit and supple tannin character. The blend, tilting towards Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s better-elevated vineyards, provides the structure and longevity that the Guidalberto needs to age in the cellar over a five to eight year period.

James Suckling awarded the 2022 Guidalberto 94 points and Wine Advocate 94 points, placing this firmly among the finest Guidalberto vintages in the wine’s history and confirming its value position as one of Italy’s most consistently rewarding mid-market fine wine propositions. For collectors who seek access to Tenuta San Guido’s Bolgheri winemaking at a fraction of Sassicaia prices, and for restaurants and enthusiasts who wish to drink a wine from one of Italy’s most celebrated estates with some regularity, the 2022 Guidalberto is an excellent and thoroughly reliable acquisition.

Deep ruby with a focused and elegant nose of blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedar, tobacco leaf, Mediterranean herbs and a fine mineral quality from the Bolgheri coastal soils. Full-bodied with excellent tannin structure, good natural acidity and a long, precise, herb-edged finish of considerable Bolgheri character. Best from 2025 through 2035.

Lots of mint with sage and fresh rosemary to the currant and orange character on the nose, as well as some ripe raspberries. The palate is very refined with creamy and crunchy tannins that run the length of the wine. It shows a crunchy and energetic personality. Give it a year or two to come together, but it‚Äôs showing brightness for the vintage. Drink after 2027. — James Suckling

This red is elegant, despite its firm structure and dense tannins. Black cherry, black currant, plum, tobacco, iron and rosemary flavors hold court, while all the components show balance. The finish is long, with a salty taste. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2038. — Wine Spectator