In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, graphite, violet
Palate: red plum, iron, wild herbs
Tenuta San Guido's third wine, a Cabernet-Sangiovese Toscana IGT for everyday drinking.
What it pairs with
-
Lasagna alla bolognese
Cabernet-Sangiovese mid-weight for lasagna. -
Margherita pizza
Bright acid refreshes tomato. -
Pici al ragu
Find pici al ragu on TableJourney →
Hand-rolled pici with Sangiovese influence.
How to serve Le Difese
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lasagna alla bolognese, Margherita pizza, Pici al ragu. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Le Difese launched 2002 as Tenuta San Guido's accessible third wine, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese.
- 2002 — First vintage of Le Difese
Facts
- Producer
- Tenuta San Guido
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Sangiovese (30%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- 10 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22 to 32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3 to 10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2002
Scores
- Wine Advocate 91 (2020 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Le Difese
What does Le Difese taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, graphite, violet. On the palate, red plum, iron, wild herbs. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. Tenuta San Guido's third wine, a Cabernet-Sangiovese Toscana IGT for everyday drinking.
When should I drink Le Difese?
Drink 3 to 10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Difese?
Lasagna alla bolognese is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Margherita pizza and Pici al ragu. Cabernet-Sangiovese mid-weight for lasagna.
What grapes are in Le Difese?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Sangiovese (30%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.