2017 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto

The 2017 Guidalberto is a stellar wine. Rich, ample and resonant, the 2017 possesses superb depth and textural richness, both signatures of this warm, dry vintage. I suppose in the most technical sense, the 2017 is not the last word on complexity. But it is supremely delicious, it is that kind of wine opened and finished quickly - and of course, the ultimate goal of a wine is to deliver pleasure. The 2017 Guidalberto hits it out of the park on that level.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot aged for 15 months in French barriques. Very obviously the product of a hot vintage. Pretty deep crimson. Rich and ripe with strong balsam notes and a dry end though its richness was most obvious soon after opening. Dry finish. A very good example of this particular wine, Sassicaia's younger brother. There is some of Sassicaia's class here. GV (JR)

A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2017 Guidalberto appeals to the more informal side of sophisticated drinking. By that I mean it makes a great choice at lunch or for family dinners. Despite the accessibility and dense concentration of the fruit, especially evident in a warm vintage such as this, the wine's pedigree is evident in terms of the careful management of the structure and acidity. My samples were a little closed at first and needed some extra coaxing. Once open, the wine shows the dark fruit and exuberance of this hot vintage in Tuscany.