New and Old Sassicaia – Italy’s Ferrari in a bottle!

Why Tenuta San Guido is the Ferrari of Italian Wine

In the realm of Italian excellence, few names carry the weight and global recognition of Ferrari. Revered for its cutting-edge engineering, heritage, and performance, Ferrari is a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and innovation. In much the same way, Tenuta San Guido—producer of the legendary Sassicaia—represents prestige, vision, and legacy within the world of fine wine.

Both brands are rooted in deep heritage. Ferrari’s legacy dates back to 1947, a benchmark in automotive design and performance. Similarly, Tenuta San Guido, established in the 1940s, revolutionized Italian winemaking by creating Sassicaia, the original "Super Tuscan". This bold move redefined Italian wine by introducing Bordeaux varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc—into a region traditionally dominated by Sangiovese. Like Ferrari's defiance of convention through design and performance innovation, Sassicaia’s creation broke from DOC regulations and sparked a new category that would elevate Italian wine to international acclaim.

Exclusivity and global demand further unite these icons. Both Ferrari and Sassicaia are produced in limited quantities with a relentless commitment to quality, resulting in high market value and strong appeal among collectors, investors, and connoisseurs around the world.

Their branding transcends their respective industries—owning a Ferrari or a bottle of Sassicaia is more than an experience; it is a statement of taste, discernment, and appreciation for excellence. They are not merely products, but emblems of Italian identity and luxury.

Finally, both brands offer enduring value. Certain Ferrari models are known to appreciate over time, just as Sassicaia, particularly in standout vintages, consistently performs on the global fine wine market and at prestigious auctions. This positions Sassicaia as not just a top-tier wine, but also as a long-term investment.

Positioning Tenuta San Guido as the "Ferrari of Italian wine" is not simply marketing rhetoric—it is a reflection of true alignment in Italian artistry, global prestige, and uncompromising standards. For those seeking the pinnacle of wine excellence, Sassicaia is more than a bottle—it is a timeless symbol.

The 2022 vintage of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia continues the estate’s legacy as a benchmark Super Tuscan, delivering a wine of exceptional balance, structure, and finesse. Despite the challenges of a warm growing season, the unique Bolgheri microclimate and careful vineyard management preserved the freshness, acidity, and phenolic maturity essential to crafting a wine of this caliber. A cooling period in late summer, along with a beneficial mid-August rain, supported the optimal ripening of grapes. The vintage benefitted from natural yield reduction due to spring temperature swings, resulting in concentrated fruit and high technical quality.

Harvest began in early September, progressing from the younger vines and lower- altitude Cabernet Sauvignon parcels up to the high-elevation plots like Vigna di Castiglioncello. Precision winemaking followed: grapes were hand-sorted and gently pressed, with maceration lasting 13 to 18 days. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurred before the wine was aged for approximately 23–24 months in French oak barriques, 40% of which were new. The final blend remains true to Sassicaia’s identity—approximately 85–88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12–15% Cabernet Franc—delivering both power and elegance.

In the glass, the 2022 Sassicaia reveals a deep ruby color with garnet reflections. Aromatically, it’s complex and layered, with notes of ripe blackberry, red currant, violet, graphite, leather, Mediterranean herbs, balsamic hints, and delicate spice. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance between vibrant acidity, velvety tannins, and mineral tension. The finish is long, refined, and persistent—demonstrating both structure and grace. Though approachable in its youth, the wine promises remarkable aging potential, estimated at 20 to 25+ years.

Critics have praised the 2022 vintage with outstanding scores making it a highly advisable buy from an investment perspective on all accounts. For collectors and connoisseurs alike, the 2022 Sassicaia offers a compelling opportunity to experience the intersection of terroir expression, winemaking mastery, and timeless elegance.

TENUTA SAN GUIDO SASSICAIA 2022

Special Price $269.99

Wines will be ready to start shipping around mid September

Owning older vintages of Sassicaia is not merely about having exceptional wine—it is about possessing a piece of Italian winemaking history. As the original Super Tuscan, Sassicaia redefined Italy’s global reputation for fine wine, and its older bottlings have become symbols of both innovation and enduring quality. With each passing year, these wines evolve in complexity and elegance, developing layers of tertiary aromas—tobacco, cedar, earth, and spice—that only time can reveal. Mature vintages such as 1999, 2009, 2014 or 2019 are not only prized for their sensory depth but are also highly sought-after by collectors and investors, often commanding record prices at auction. The rarity, provenance, and prestige of these older bottles elevate them beyond the realm of consumption—they become heritage assets, milestones in a cellar, and centerpieces of any serious wine collection.

1999 Sassicaia 750ml Special Price $699.99

2009 Sassicaia 750ml Special Price $429.99

2014 Sassicaia Magnum 1.5L Special Price $749.99

2019 Sassicaia 750ml Special Price $359.99

These wines are in our NYC Temp Controlled Cellar ready for collection

The 2023 Guidalberto from Tenuta San Guido represents a masterful balance of pedigree and approachability, offering a compelling alternative to its iconic sibling, Sassicaia.

Crafted from a blend of approximately 55–60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40–45% Merlot, the wine showcases the estate’s deep commitment to quality across its entire portfolio.

Sourced from vineyards adjacent to the historic Sassicaia plots, the vines benefit from the same calcareous, well-drained soils and Mediterranean microclimate.

The 2023 vintage unfolded under favorable conditions, with moderate spring rains and manageable summer heat, leading to grapes of excellent concentration and aromatic depth.

Fermentation took place in stainless steel, followed by 15 months of aging in French oak barriques—40% of which were new—allowing the wine to develop structure and subtle complexity without overwhelming its fruit profile. In the glass, the wine is a vivid ruby with violet reflections. On the nose, it reveals vibrant layers of red and black berries, Mediterranean herbs, licorice, tobacco, coffee, and delicate spices such as vanilla and pepper. The palate is powerful yet refined, offering ripe tannins, lively acidity, and a persistent, balanced finish.

Critics have responded enthusiastically to this release, awarding it 96 points from both James Suckling and Decanter, along with 92 points from Vinous and Wine Spectator. Wine enthusiasts and collectors consistently praise Guidalberto for its exceptional value, elegance, and potential to age gracefully over the next decade or more. While it carries the DNA of Sassicaia, Guidalberto is far more than a “second wine”—it stands confidently on its own as a superb expression of Bolgheri terroir, Italian winemaking precision, and modern refinement.

TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2023

Per Bottle Price $84.99

Special Price $74.99

Wines will be ready to start shipping circa mid September

While Sassicaia has long been a beacon of prestige, the older vintages of Guidalberto and Le Difese have quietly earned a reputation for overdelivering in quality and aging potential. As the second and third wines of Tenuta San Guido, respectively, these labels were initially designed for earlier consumption, but select vintages—particularly in strong growing years—have proven to evolve beautifully with time. Aged Guidalberto develops greater aromatic complexity, with its youthful fruit maturing into nuanced notes of dried herbs, leather, tobacco, and sweet spice, while maintaining a refined structure thanks to its Cabernet-Merlot blend. Likewise, Le Difese, with its Sangiovese-forward profile softened by Cabernet Sauvignon, gains earthy depth, smoother tannins, and a more rustic elegance as it matures. For collectors, older bottles of Guidalberto and Le Difese offer a unique opportunity: to enjoy the Tenuta San Guido signature at a fraction of the cost, with the added charm of maturity and authenticity. These wines not only reflect the evolution of Bolgheri terroir over time, but also showcase how exceptional craftsmanship extends beyond Sassicaia to the entire San Guido portfolio.

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2014 750ml Special Price $99.99

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2015 750ml Special Price $109.99

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2017 750ml Special Price $89.99

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2011 750ml Special Price $79.99

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2013 750ml Special Price $89.99

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2016 750ml Special Price $89.99

A Miniscule quantity of these bottles are in our NYC Temp Controlled Cellar ready for collection

Fattoria Le Pupille is a pioneering estate in Tuscany’s Maremma region, founded and led by Elisabetta Geppetti, one of Italy’s most influential female winemakers. Renowned for its flagship Super Tuscan Saffredi, the estate seamlessly blends international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot with native Sangiovese to craft wines of elegance, structure, and depth. Le Pupille’s portfolio—including Poggio Valente, a pure Sangiovese cru—is rooted in a deep respect for terroir, tradition, and innovation. With over four decades of excellence and a strong critical reputation worldwide, the winery has become a benchmark for Maremma’s rise in the global fine wine landscape.

2023 Saffredi — The Maremma Masterpiece

Often hailed as the “Lafite of Maremma,” Saffredi returns with a bold, structured expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The 2023 vintage of Saffredi reaffirms its stature as Fattoria Le Pupille’s legendary Supertuscan, delivering both power and finesse. The juice exudes refined elegance battling power, noting layers of wild berries, spice, blue floral notes, and blood orange, framed by velvety, yet firm tannins—imbued with a vibrant freshness and a bold structure that differentiates it from previous vintages.

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE SAFFREDI 2023

750 ml Regular Price $129.99

750 ml 6 Bottle Price $119.99 (wood)

1.5 ml Special Price $259.99 (wood)

3 L Special Price $719.99 (wood)

6 L Special Price $1,499 (wood)

12 L Special Price $2,999 (wood)

18 L Special Price $4,999 (wood)

*Pre-arrival offer (special order all 2023 Saffredi). Wines are due in December 2025

2017 Saffredi — Older Vintage IWM Cellar Release

The 2017 Saffredi stands as the flagship Super Tuscan from Fattoria Le Pupille — a rich blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot that marked the wine’s 30th anniversary. Crafted in a warm, dry vintage, its winemakers skillfully managed early harvesting and reduced yields (–25 %) to retain remarkable freshness.

The aroma unfolds with intense black fruit—think blackberries, black cherries—woven with spicy notes of cloves, cinnamon, licorice, and hints of oak-driven vanilla and cedar. On the palate, it’s plush and velvety, with round, refined tannins that support its concentrated fruit and balanced acidity, leading into a long, persistent finish that echoes dark chocolate, tobacco, coffee, and subtle graphite minerality.

The 2017 Saffredi is a masterclass in controlled power—a lush, concentrated red with both finesse and depth that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a decade or more. IWM is glad to offer our clients a mere handful of these precious bottles.

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE SAFFREDI 2017

Special Price $189.99

The Saffredi 2017 bottles are in our NYC Temp Controlled Cellar ready for collection

2022 Poggio Valente — Sangiovese in Full Expression

The 2022 Poggio Valente, a pure expression of Sangiovese from a single-cru vineyard, beautifully captures the essence of Bolgheri terroir. It radiates with a bright ruby hue and offers an intense, complex nose—cherry, pomegranate, fine spices, and forest undertones combine to create a captivating aromatic profile. On the palate, elegance emerges through refined, resolved tannins and a compact structure, finishing on a lingering note of licorice. It is lush yet finely tuned, with layered fruit, floral nuances, spices, and a polished, silky finish that reflects a mature and skillfully crafted vintage.

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE POGGIO VALENTE 2022

750 ml Regular Price $54.99

750 ml 6 Bottle Price $49.99

1.5 ml Special Price $99.99 (wood)

3 L Special Price $199.99 (wood)

6 L Special Price $419.99 (wood)

12 L Special Price $849.99 (wood)

18 L Special Price $1,599 (wood)

*Pre-arrival offer (special order wines). Wines are due in December 2025

2023 Morellino di Scanzano

The Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano 2023 is a lively and approachable red wine from Tuscany's coastal Maremma region, crafted primarily from Sangiovese grapes. This vintage showcases vibrant aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and a touch of violet, with subtle hints of spice and citrus zest. On the palate, it’s fresh and medium-bodied, with smooth tannins and a clean, juicy finish that makes it an ideal companion for casual meals.

True to Fattoria Le Pupille’s elegant style, this wine balances tradition with youthful energy, perfect for enjoying now or over the next few years.

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2023

Regular Price $24.99

Special 6 Bottle Price $19.99

The Morellino di Scansano bottles are in our NYC Temp Controlled Cellar ready for collection