2011 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Guidalberto reveals a plump, opulent and irresistible style. The 2011 vintage was a scorcher in much of Italy, but Bolgheri performed very nicely thanks to the soft sea breezes that kept the summer heat in check. There is beautiful fruit ripeness here, but the wine never feels overdone or overblown. Expert winemaking is clearly at hand. You can almost feel the crunch of the berries in your mouth and the soft tannins have been expertly managed. Dark cherry, blackberry preserves, spice, candied almond and tarry licorice rise from the glass. The wine is still youthful with a darkly extracted personality that will flesh out further in time.
Critic scores
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Mocha, espresso, plums and cloves form a highly expressive mosaic of aromas and flavors in the 2011 Guidalberto. Wonderfully open and seductive, the 2011 captures the essence of Bolgheri in a style that is resonant and super sensual. Silky tannins make the 2011 impossible to resist today. San Guido hit it out of the park with the 2011 Guidalberto.
Made with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot, the 2011 Guidalberto opens to dark, rich concentration and beautiful aromatic intensity. You really feel the weight and importance of the wine thanks to its shapely aromas of dark fruit, plum, spice and bitter chocolate. The mouthfeel is incredibly supple and the rich density is long lasting. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. The buzz is back. Italy’s most iconic wine estate – the ground zero for all fine wine made in the country today – has entered an exciting new chapter with a renewed sense of purpose. This change was not sparked by any single event, rather a confluence of events starting with a fortuitous string of great vintages. I point to the 2009 Sassicaia that so closely recalls the glorious 1985 in its beauty and profound abundance. Driving his Jeep through his vineyards, with all those little Jack Russell heads straining through the open windows, Marchese Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta has good reason to smile. Much of coastal Tuscany once served as a giant hunting reserve for Florentine nobility. Importer: Kobrand Corp.; www.kobrandwineandspirits.com
Much deeper crimson than Difese. Lively and fresh. Relatively light and contains some younger vine produce that may eventually go into Sassicaia. Round and Merlot juicy. Well balanced. Good stuff. (JR)