Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2023, Tuscany, Italy

Le Difese 2023: Producer

Quietly, elegantly and almost involuntarily, the Incisa della Rocchetta family released the wine that would revolutionise the Italian wine scene creating a totally new genre: the Super-Tuscan. Tenuta San Guido is now a legendary estate and was first planted in the 1940s by the Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who noted the similarity between Bolgheri’s terroir and that of the Graves. When, in 1968, Sassicaia was finally commercially released, it took the fine wine world by storm. Cementing its iconic status, in 1994 it was granted its own appellation – Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC.

Le Difese 2023: Vintage

Le Difese, first released in 2002, is the newest addition to Tenuta San Guido. Soft, versatile, and highly enjoyable, its name comes from the wild boar tusks featured in gold on the label. The autumn was warm and dry until November, when temperatures dropped, bringing rain to replenish water reserves. Winter saw mild conditions with intense fog, followed by a cold February with lows around -3°C and snowfall at higher altitudes. Spring began with rising temperatures and moderate rainfall, though April brought a brief return of cold and rain without damage. By May, temperatures stabilised, and frequent rains supported healthy flowering and fruit set. Despite a hot summer, sufficient water reserves ensured steady vine growth. Late August rain delayed an early harvest, resulting in excellent grape quality with strong aromatics and rich anthocyanins.

Le Difese 2023: Winemaking

After ageing in second- and third-use French oak barriques (previously used for Guidalberto), the wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks at 3-4°C for tartaric stability. It then undergoes bottle ageing before release.

Le Difese 2023: In The Glass

Le Difese 2023 is pure, elegant, and vibrant, with superb minerality, crunchy fruit, and delicate floral notes. The fresh, racy palate defies its Mediterranean origins, showcasing remarkable finesse. This level of precision reflects the skill of Carlo Paoli and his team, who have elevated Tenuta San Guido to new heights over the past two decades.