Tenuta San Guido Le Difese Toscana IGT 2023
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WE 93] [JD 93] [DM 92] [VM 91] [JS 90]

About the Winery:
Considered the seminal "Super Tuscan", Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia is one of Italy's leading Bordeaux-style red wines. The name Sassicaia (Italian sassi meaning stone) indicating a stony field, originated in 1948 when first produced by Incisa della Rocchetta using Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Le Difese (Toscana IGT) has been produced by the legendary Sassicaia since 2003. It is a 70% Cabernet and 30% Sangiovese blend.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature and maceration lasts for about 12 days for both the Cabernet Sauvignon to the Sangiovese. It is then aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels and for a further three months in the bottle.

The wine is distinguished by a good structure and is extremely supple making it very pleasant and drinkable.

Tasting Notes:
Bright red with purple nuances. Respectable acidity and PH and a beautiful balance of musts that are well structured but harmonious and fruity. Blending wines with a non-invasive structure, a good balance in terms of acidity and density of the wine, combined with soft and well-integrated tannins. Beautiful spiciness. A pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits. A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young.

Technical Data

Appellation: Tuscany IGT
pH: 3.45
Acidity: 5.75 g/l
ABV: 14%
Ageing: Aged  for about 8 months in French oak barriques, and a small quantity of American barrels.

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"The nose is bright and crunchy with berry aromas of wild cherry, wild strawberry, potting soil, terracotta, orange zest and tea leaf. Sweet strawberries and raspberries headline the palate alongside red plums and more tangy citrus, plus a balancing note of Earl Grey tea which is fortified by firm, insistent tannins. I always find this to be an exceptional experience." - Danielle Callegari (Nov 2025)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2023 Le Difese includes Sangiovese from Montosoli and Rufina in Chianti Classico in the blend. The nose is fresh and pure, with a juicy, floral perfume of fresh red berries, violets, and wet stone. It’s fresh and inviting on the palate, with the very pretty elegance that the Sangiovese brings with its more defined structure and refreshing feel. This is a fabulous entry wine to drink over the coming 8-10 years." - Audrey Frick (Mar 2025)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A tangy raspberry and pomegranate attack is followed by some ripe dark fruits wrapped in soft, open-knit tannins. Tenuta San Guido sources the Sangiovese for Le Difese from family friends in nearby Chianti Montespertoli and Chianti Rufina, but as a result of the widespread peronospora (downy mildew) in 2023, the percentage has dropped from 70% in 2022 to 65% in the 2023. It doesn't seem to have slowed its momentum, however, as it bristles with energy. Bright and well balanced, it's a delicious introduction to the estate." - James Button (Feb 2025)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Le Difese is a gorgeous wine from Tenuta San Guido. Fresh, aromatic and inviting, the 2023 is all charm. Floral notes meld into a core of crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice and white pepper. Medium in body and gracious, Le Difese is an absolute delight. As always, Le Difese is a blend of deselected lots from Sassicaia and Guidalberto, plus some purchased Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2023, Sangiovese was challenged by the growing season, so the blend includes more Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an impressive effort for a year that required constant vigilance in the vineyard because of frequent rain and elevated disease pressure." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2025)

90 Points - James Suckling:
"A bright, fragrant and fruity wine with aromas of red cherries, violets and forest floor. Juicy and crisp on the palate, with a light to medium body and chalky tannins. Medium length and very fragrant. Easy drinking. Second wine of Sassicaia. Drink now." (Feb 2025)

89 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red is fresh and light-bodied, displaying cherry, raspberry, spice, tomato leaf and Tuscan scrub flavors. The tannins are nimble yet sinewy, leaving a light astringency on the earthy finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028." - Bruce Sanderson (Jun 2025)