About Tenuta San Guida

Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was born in Rome in 1889, from a Piedmontese family. While studying agriculture in Pisa, he immediately developed a strong inclination for agronomy, dreaming already in the 1920s of finding perfection in agriculture and respect for the earth. He moved to Maremma in the early 1940’s, after marrying Clarice della Gheradesca in 1930, a descendent of one of the oldest families in Tuscany, the family of Count Ugolino, mentioned by Dante in The Divine Comedy. The Marchese immediately realised that this was going to be one of the most extraordinary biotypes in Mediterranean Europe and began experimenting with some French grape varieties. He concluded that cabernet “has the bouquet I have been searching for”, despite being so distant from the Tuscan and Piedmontese traditions of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo respectively. Thus, thanks to the first grafts received from the Dukes Salviati of Migliarino (close to Pisa) in the early 1940’s and he planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the hills that gently slopes down from the fortress of Castiglioncello to the sea. In fact, we know that in addition to Cabernet (Sauvignon and Franc), the grape variety used in the first planting was diverse and ranged from Canaiolo to Ciliegiolo to white grapes. The mass selection, orientated towards the exclusive use of Cabernet Sauvignon, happened more recently, between the years of 1960 and 1968.

Tenuta San Guida Le Defese 2020 Tasting Notes:

The 2020 Le Difese is laced with crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cinnamon and rose petal. This light to medium bodied, fragrant Maremma red is an ideal choice for drinking over the next few years. Served at cellar temperature, it is also a fine option for the warm summer months. Drink: 2024 – 2032
Vinous: Antonio Galloni – 92 Points (February 2022)

Rich, evoking plum and cherry flavors, with earth and tobacco notes. Reveals refined tannins, with good acidity to remain fresh and linger on the finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink: 2023 – 2037
Wine Spectator: Bruce Sanderson – 90 Points

Tenuta San Guido's entry-level red is the 2020 Le Difese. This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 55% Sangiovese shows hints of ripe fruit and cherry with wild plum, redcurrant and bitter almond. That element of Sangiovese adds some floral intensity too, which comes across as lilac root or dried violet. That said, you definitely feel the softness and sweetness of the hot-vintage fruit. Drink: 2022 - 2025
The Wine Advocate: Monica Larner – 88 Points

A juicy and delicious red with aromas of blueberries, sliced mushrooms, currants, blackberry leaves, licorice and bergamot. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a creamy, round and fresh finish. Drink now or hold.
Jamescukling.com: James Suckling – 92 Points