Tenuta San Guido Toscana Guidalberto 2021

95 points Susan Hulme, MW (Decanter): "According to Tenuta San Guido’s director of winemaking, Carlo Paoli, the 2021 is the best Guidalberto he has ever made. The percentage of Merlot was reduced back to the typical 40% this year because the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon was so good. The 2021 Guidalberto is very deeply coloured, almost black with a narrow purple rim. It took an hour or so to really open up, but when it did, it had a wonderful range of aromas and flavours. Cassis and blueberry, blue flowers, and violet and iris notes are followed by a palate full of perfectly ripe blackberries and blueberries wrapped in gentle, cream flavours. This is a wine of velvety richness balanced by vivid acidity, with very pure, focused flavours and aromas. Delightful! Drinking Window: 2024-2038. (3/7/23)"

94 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Tenuta San Guido 2021 Guidalberto shows tart cherry fruit with darker tones of blackberry and plum. This vintage delivers especially chiseled and focused fruit characteristics that are elegantly framed by light spice, cola and earth. This vintage shows a heightened sense of intensity and territorial identity that is the hallmark of this storied estate. Drink: 2023-2033. (5/31/23)"

94 points Kerin O'Keefe: "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas recalling Mediterranean scrub, blue flower, wild herb and dark-skinned berry. The palate is still young and primary, featuring black cherry, cassis, licorice, cedar and menthol notes alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Although the summer was hot and extremely dry, abundant rain in the winter provided ample water reserves in the soils, and the 2021 boasts surprising freshness as well as the estate’s hallmark elegance. Over the last few vintages, Guidalberto has blossomed into a distinct wine in its own right, with its own personality and expression of Bolgheri. It’s a far cry from being merely Sassicaia’s younger sibling and the 2021 drives the point home. It needs a few more years to fully develop and will age graciously. Drink: 2025–2036. Abv: 13.5%. (Apr 2023)"

94 points Falstaff Guide: "Clear, intense ruby-purple. Opens with appealing notes of mint, plus blackberry and mulberry, spicy cedar in the background. Finely meshed, polished tannin characterises the palate, vivid, clear fruit, nice flow. (10/16/23)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Guidalberto, San Guido's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is soft, succulent and alluring right out of the gate. The supple contours of Merlot lend fleshiness to this mid-weight, racy Maremma blend. Ripe red cherry fruit, spice, leather and tobacco are nicely pushed forward. Best of all, the 2021 will drink well right out of the gate. Drink: 2023-2031. (Aug 2023)"

93 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blackcurrants, dark cherries, chocolate, ground spices and crushed rocks. Medium- to full-bodied with compact but supple and polished tannins. Shows savory notes with hints of dried mushrooms and chocolate. Attractive with a lingering finish. Drink or hold. (6/4/23)"

92 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "Concentrated and dense, with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, blueberry and black currant, this red also reveals black olive and iron accents. The tannins clamp down for now, yet this is balanced overall, with everything well-proportioned. Long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2038. (10/31/23)"