Tenuta San Guido’s Guidalberto was first created in 2000, named after an ancestor, Guidalberto della Gherardesca, who planted the famous avenue of cypress trees in the 19th century in Bolgheri, the ‘Viale dei Cipressi’, 2500 trees lining a stretch of road that is now a national monument. It was originally designed as a wine to enjoy younger than Sassicaia, and at a more approachable price point. Yet it has evolved into a wine that can age a decade or two without a stretch, and has developed its own character, so not really a second wine as such, with mostly its own vineyards and produced in its own facility on the estate. Though usually a cabernet-dominant blend, this 2020 vintage mixes equal parts cabernet sauvignon and merlot, as it was a year that favoured the latter, earlier-ripening variety (and sangiovese). It’s a marvelous wine, ripe but still markedly fresh, gently extracted, with a measured amount of wood influence supporting the broad and plush, dark fruit flavours. Tannins are abundant but velvety, framed by zesty-succulent acids. Length and depth are excellent, lingering on an appealing saline saltiness. Best 2024-2032+. Tasted September 2022. Score – 93. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)