Tenuta San Guido : Le Difese 2022

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for Le Difese 2022 by Tenuta San Guido

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a deep, bright ruby hue.

Nose
The nose reveals generous aromas of fully ripe red and black fruits, notably blackberry and cherry. These fruit notes are accompanied by delicate hints of spices and aromatic herbs, along with the sweetness of chocolate.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is round and full-bodied, offering lovely freshness supported by soft, pleasant tannins.

Food and wine pairings

Le Difese 2022 pairs perfectly with pasta dishes with meat sauce, mushroom risottos, as well as roasted or grilled meats. It also matches very well with cooked white meats.

Serving and cellaring

Le Difese 2022 by Tenuta San Guido can be enjoyed now.

An Elegant, Balanced Tuscan Red Wine

The estate

Founded in 1942 by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in Tuscany, Tenuta San Guido spans 75 hectares in the prestigious Bolgheri area. Now run by Marquis Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta, the estate remains in the hands of the family, a member of Primum Familiæ Vini. The domaine revolutionized the Italian vineyard landscape with its legendary Sassicaia, the first Super Tuscan to have, since 1983, its own DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia. The estate also produces Guidalberto and Le Difese, expressing the excellence of an exceptional coastal terroir.

The vineyard

The vineyard from which Le Difese 2022 is sourced lies within IGT Toscana, between 100 and 300 meters above sea level, with west and southwest exposure. The soils are varied and complex, characterized by a strong presence of limestone rich in Alberese and Gabbro, stones, and partially clay-based components.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage in Tuscany was marked by generally warm conditions. Winter and spring were mild, followed by a hot, dry summer. These climatic conditions led to a 27% decrease in production due to the heat and rigorous selection during fruit set. Despite these lower yields, quality proved excellent, with a fine balance of acidity, a moderate alcohol level, and supple, well-integrated tannins.

Winemaking and aging

The Le Difese 2022 harvest by Tenuta San Guido was carried out by hand, beginning on September 4 for cabernet sauvignon and September 16 for sangiovese, and ending in late September. After rigorous selection in the vineyard and then on a sorting table at the winery, the grapes underwent very gentle crushing and destemming. Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks between 26 and 27°C, with maceration lasting 12 to 14 days for cabernet sauvignon and 11 to 12 days for sangiovese. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks and finished at the end of November. Aging was done in French oak barrels previously used for Guidalberto, followed by storage in stainless steel tanks between 3 and 4°C to ensure tartrate stability before bottling.

Grape varieties

This Italian wine is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese.