TENUTA SAN GUIDO | LE DIFESE 2023 75cl

Le Difese 2023 is the gateway to the universe of Tenuta San Guido, the historic winery that revolutionized Italian viticulture with the creation of the legendary Sassicaia. Since its first vintage in 2002, this wine reflects the philosophy of the estate: to produce a red wine of great balance, capable of expressing the identity of Tuscany with an elegant, fresh, and approachable style from its youth.

The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese brings together the international character of the former with the most genuine personality of Tuscany. The result is a harmonious wine, with intense fruit, a silky texture, and extraordinary gastronomic versatility.

Characteristics

Winery: Tenuta San Guido

Denomination: Toscana IGT

Vintage: 2023

Wine type: Aged Red Wine

Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese

Alcohol content: 14% vol. (approx.)

Aging: Second and third-use French oak barrels, followed by 3 months of bottle aging.

Harvest: Manual with cluster selection.

Format: 75 cl

The Vineyard

The grapes come from different plots of the Tenuta San Guido estate, located between 100 and 300 meters above sea level on the Tuscan coast.

The vineyards grow on a mosaic of limestone, stony soils, with pebbles and clayey areas, facing west and southwest. The proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and the gentle coastal breezes favor slow and balanced ripening, preserving the natural freshness of the grape.

The 2023 vintage was marked by a winter with rain and snow in the higher areas, a favorable spring for flowering, and a warm summer compensated by the soil's water reserves. Rains in late August allowed for excellent ripening, resulting in grapes of great concentration and aromatic richness.

Elaboration

Harvesting is done entirely by hand, followed by a careful selection of the clusters.

Each variety ferments in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve all the fruit expression. Subsequently, the wine ages in second and third-use French oak barrels, where it acquires complexity without the wood dominating the whole. Finally, it remains three months in bottle before being released to the market, refining its balance and elegance.

Tasting Notes

It presents an intense ruby red color with violet reflections.

On the nose, aromas of ripe cherries, plums, wild berries, and blackcurrants stand out, accompanied by delicate notes of sweet spices, cedar, tobacco, and light balsamic hints.

On the palate, it offers a broad and silky entry, with polished tannins, excellent balance, and a fresh acidity that provides dynamism. Ripe fruit and spicy notes integrate perfectly with the aging, resulting in a long, elegant, and very persistent finish.

Pairing

Ideal for red meats, roasted lamb, pasta with ragu, mushroom risottos, Italian cuisine, game birds, aged cheeses, and artisan charcuterie.

Recommended serving temperature: 16–18 ºC.

Le Difese 2023 conveys the essence of Tenuta San Guido in a refined and accessible wine, where Tuscan tradition and the elegance of Bolgheri meet in every glass. A balanced and full-bodied red wine that reflects the prestige of one of Italy's most emblematic wineries.