“Baby Sassicaia!” A Taste of the Legendary Wine for a Fraction of the Price – The Finest in 20 Years

BABY SASSICAIA: A Taste of the Legendary Wine for a Fraction of the Price. The FINAL ALLOCATION of 2022 Guidalberto - the Silky Expression Is Among the Highest-Rated In 20+ Years? Italy’s #1 Super-Tuscan Delivers Value with Sassicaia Pedigree at ¼ the Price...

"...the Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here." - Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"...increasingly made from lots that don't make it into Sassicaia...a terrific showing...a fine relative value in Bolgheri's high-rent district."- Antonio Galloni, Vinous

How do we surpass last week’s offer on the SOLD OUT Le Difese from the team behind Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia? How ‘bout the return of the silky and generous 2022 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto one last time! It is serious pedigree and value for what is the finest expression of “Baby Sassicaia” in more than 20 years! Carpe diem!

There is no doubt, collector eyes remain on the 2021 vintage from Tuscany, in particular and the tiny hamlet of Bolgheri – the legendary birthplace of Super Tuscans.  In a quarter of a century of proudly selling the wines of the region, we can tell you firsthand that the first tranche of the 2021 Sassicaia SOLD OUT at an unprecedented pace - we are talking under 48 hours. The fact is, few regions and producers can match the unprecedented streak and success here since 2015. However, next to the Grand Vin expression, IWM is always anxious to offer some price relief and relative value that offers approachability, and can be enjoyed today. For IWM, that begins with the highly-anticipated release of Baby Sassicaia – the 2022 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto!

The IWM Team had the good fortunate of sharing the new line-up from Tenuta San Guido with Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, who now carries the torch at the fabled estate. And what may surprise is that it was not just the 100-point, legend-in-the-making Sassicaia that impressed, but rather the younger sibling. While the Super Tuscan patriarch Sassicaia requires patience for the collector, Guidalberto offers approachability, in-the-pocket and on the palate due to its youthful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for all levels of enthusiasts. As both Priscilla and her father Nicolò have explained;"Guidalberto was created for two reasons: first of all, the desire to see what we could accomplish with Merlot, a grape that we had never used before; second, the desire to offer the consumer a wine which could be appreciated at a younger age compared to our veteran Sassicaia.”

As you may know, the insider note here is that more than 20% of this fruit is young vine Sassicaia, truly making this one of the finer “Baby Sassicaia” expressions to date. And how does Tenuta San Guido and Mother Nature surpass the 2021 and leaner vintage of 2020? Simple – 2022, it is shaping up to be the more generous and approachable expression while maintaining the signature elegance. As Monica Larner has noted, the "Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here (thanks to the addition of the Merlot). The wine shows a soft and gentle side with a pretty level of elegance transmitted through the fruit freshness." Just how we like it at IWM. What continues to stand out is the underlying line of salinity under the red and black fruit that screams Tuscan seaside. And with the increasing amount of Sassiciaia fruit being placed in the wine, we recommend giving this savory Mediterranean expression a quick decant or let it breathe. Like the 2018 and 2019, this will be one of the more complete Guidalberto we have tasted over the past twenty four years! Serious and delicious all the same time, and will rank up there alongside, the likes of 2016, 2019, and 2021.

Once again, despite the warm vintage, this remains a classic expression at just 13.5% alcohol and preserves the style that defines Tenuta San Guido. With the 2022 Guidalberto you have a “baby Sassicaia” delivered with approachability and age-ability. What we appreciate here most is the incredible value delivered with Sassicaia pedigree at ¼ the price of the flagship - just $64.99! What we can tell you is the wines will increase in price with the next tranche. Please enjoy this special advance offering.

FEATURED WINES: Sassicaia Pedigree Delivered with Value and More

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

2022 TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: "What a privilege to taste this baby icon and share the table with Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta. This wine is absolutely delicious – dare we say this is an affordable and quaffable taste of Sassicaia, as it simply goes down too easy. In 2022, the wine wears an extra layer of fruit and texture when compared to 2018 and 2020; and what stands out from the elegance, charm, and approachability, is the underlying minerality and salinity that lets you know you are on the Tuscan seaside in Bolgheri. The Sassicaia DNA is here with its red and black fruit nuances, along with the signature herbaceous and briny undertones. On the palate, there is fresh, generous, almost creamy, soft fruit, yet the wine remains tremendously light on its feet - and begs the question, how do they keep doing it with all the variables Mother Nature throws at them - especially in 2022. Expect to find notes blackberries, macerated black cherry rind, plum, wild berries, currants, black olives, herbs, tar, and salinity. As we say in every vintage of this wine, if you like refined, classy, and understated Super Tuscans of finesse, like their owner, look no further. This is easily among the most drinkable young expressions in a near quarter of a century of Guidalberto – DELIZIOSO."

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here (thanks to the addition of the Merlot). This warm vintage opens to medium-dark concentration and very plump aromas that take you immediately to blackberry and blackcurrant sitting out in the sun at your local farmers market. The wine shows a soft and gentle side with a pretty level of elegance transmitted through the fruit freshness and the light oak spice that is discernible here but delivered with grace."

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: “This red is elegant, despite its firm structure and dense tannins. Black cherry, black currant, plum, tobacco, iron and rosemary flavors hold court, while all the components show balance. The finish is long, with a salty taste. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.”

This is an email ONLY offer! If you would like to take advantage of this offer that is only available until 11:59pm Wednesday, January 15th (or until wines sell out) we are asking that you email orders back to me at chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your portfolio manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors. Prices are subject to change and are good while supplies last. These prices cannot be applied to previous purchases, gift orders or futures.

All my best,

Chris