Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido's wine adventure began in the 1940s when Mario Incisa della Rocchetta decided to dedicate a small part of the estate's agricultural land to wine production. The first bottles were corked in 1945, and although the wine was initially intended for personal consumption, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta quickly realized the excellent conditions the classic Bordeaux grapes had in Bolgheri's gravelly soil. This realization solidified his determination to create wines on par with the best from Bordeaux.
With a clear vision of creating something extraordinary, he asked his nephew Piero Antinori for help in creating the wine Sassicaia. Throughout the 1960s, the pieces began to fall into place for the ambitious duo, and in the early 1970s, the first Sassicaia (1968 vintage) was released to the market.
Breakthrough for Sassicaia
Sassicaia quickly gained recognition, winning a major competition in 1978 hosted by Decanter, where the wine triumphed in a blind tasting against 33 other Bordeaux blends. The significant breakthrough occurred (as seen so many times before) when Sassicaia 1985 was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker. Since then, Tenuta San Guido and their Sassicaia wine have gained great prestige in the global market and among wine collectors. At the same time, Sassicaia has proven to be a good investment wine, with impressive value increases over time, even though production approached 200,000 bottles in some years.
Here at ShareWine, you can often find different vintages of Sassicaia on auction at great prices.
10 Popular Vintages
Although the yield may vary from year to year, Sassicaia's quality has been very stable, and the wines always score highly with critics. Here are 10 of the most popular Sassicaia vintages:
1985
1995
1997
2004
2006
2008
2010
2013
2015
2016
Guidalberto and Le Difese
In addition to Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido produces two other exciting wines. In 2000, Niccolo Incisa della Rocchetta (Mario Incisa's son) introduced a new wine from Tenuta San Guido called Guidalberto. This wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes and is known for its harmonious balance between fruitiness and elegance. Guidalberto is more approachable at a young age but also has aging potential, making it a truly interesting wine.
In addition to Guidalberto and Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido also produces the wine Le Difese, which combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes. It is known for its fresh and fruity character. Le Difese is the perfect companion for more relaxed occasions and is an excellent example of Tenuta San Guido's versatility as a producer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido is still owned by the Incisa family, who continue to run the vineyard with dedication and passion.
Sassicaia's fame has paved the way for many other Italian top wines, especially for the recognition of the so-called Supertuscans from Bolgheri, marking Italy as a significant player in the international wine industry.
Tenuta San Guido uses a carefully selected blend of grape varieties. The Italian Sangiovese grape is used in smaller quantities, and in addition, the French grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are used to create their distinctive powerful flavor profiles.
Tenuta San Guido is still owned by the Incisa family, who continue to run the vineyard with dedication and passion.
Tenuta San Guido uses a carefully selected blend of grape varieties. The Italian Sangiovese grape is used in smaller quantities, and in addition, the French grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are used to create their distinctive powerful flavor profiles.
Sassicaia's fame has paved the way for many other Italian top wines, especially for the recognition of the so-called Supertuscans from Bolgheri, marking Italy as a significant player in the international wine industry.