Base of Neck

95 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Deep, bright red-ruby. Aromas of ripe red cherry, dark plum and kirsch are complicated by sexy woodsmoke, eucalyptus and bay leaf. Silky and rather lush, with considerable sweetness and creaminess to its ripe, sweet flavours of cassis, blackberry jelly and ripe black plum. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lingering notes of minerals, herbs, dried flowers and smoke. Displays lovely balance and good length on the rich, seamless, creamy-ripe finish, which exhibits a lingering menthol note that reminded me of a Napa cabernet. The 2000 vintage was a warm one, especially in August, with some varieties such as merlot reaching high sugar levels before full polyphenolic maturity was achieved. However, the combination of a cooler microclimate and old cabernet vines allowed Tenuta San Guido to make a better wine than many on the Tuscan Coast this year. (1/2011)

94 points Decanter

Incredible as you look at these colours heading back to the 1990s; they are barely budging at all. Here I get quite a different quality the smoke, more like wet woodsmoke from a fire that has been doused, or the smoky aspect to Japanese green tea. A clearly powerful wine, one that has real depth and impact, with flavours that keep slowly building one on top of the other. More burly than some, this feels burnished under the Tuscan sun. (JA) (10/2016)

94 Points CellarTracker Member

Popped and poured and this was ready to go 20 min later. A wine drinking at its absolute peak. Fully resolved tannins with exceptional balance and length. These should be enjoyed within the next 3 years. Revisit 2025 (8/24/2023)

95 Points CellarTracker Member

Very well balanced. Good color. Appealing nose. Drinking well. No decant. Probably has 5-8 more years. (8/23/2023)