The 2021 Le Difese is redolent of crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium in body yet nicely layered, the 2021 is impeccably balanced. It is also a sheer delight to taste at this early stage. In many vintages, Le Difese is a fruity, forward wine, but the 2021 has a nervy feeling of classicism that is hugely appealing. It's one of my favorite recent vintages. As it has been for some time, Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate and Sangiovese purchased from several properties in Chianti Classico, with the energy of Sangiovese very much driving the feel in this vintage. Aug 2023

Le Difese in 2021 sports a majority of Sangiovese – 55% – in a break from the traditional 70/30 split in favour of Cabernet Sauvignon. Third-generation at Tenuta San Guido, Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, explained that this decision was made to enhance the wine's 'local Tuscan' character, and to improve its drinkability early on as 'a first step into the Tenuta San Guido world.' While the Cabernet is grown on the estate, the Sangiovese is sourced, as always, from long–term partners based in Chianti Rufina. Bright, incredibly vibrant red, black and blue fruits introduce subtle, finely grained tannins with notes of wood and chocolate. It's at once juicy, tangy and crunchy, with good ripeness and great acidity. Matured for eight months in used barriques. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033
Tasted by: James Button (at London, 07 Feb 2023)
Part of First taste: Sassicaia 2020

This red delivers cherry, berry and rose flavors shaded by earth and a touch of minerality. Tips to the tannic side on the finish, with fine length. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2032. BS Oct 2023

Full bottle just 1,193 g. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese from the same stable as Sassicaia and its early-drinking counterpart Guidalberto.
Transparent garnet. Light, fresh nose. Still pretty dry on the finish with pure fruit in the middle that's relatively light and with the obvious freshness of Sangiovese more apparent than Cabernet. Nicely judged and it tastes as though it may have seen some of the used barrels from its more expensive siblings. Should gain slightly more fruit and complexity with a year or two in bottle. Feb 2023