Super Tuscan Comparison: Guidalberto 2021 vs. Giusto di Notri 2020

I hunt down value wines with soul, the kind that tell stories, spark debates, and challenge your assumptions about what good and "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236746 or email cf.lau@dunndunn.hk - Kevin K Tang

Overview

This is a direct look at two well-known Bolgheri and Suvereto reds made from Bordeaux grapes. Both are aged in French oak and are key wines for their estates. Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido’s second label after Sassicaia, is known for elegance and value. Giusto di Notri, Tua Rita’s top blend, stands out for its power and depth. Both have strong reputations with wine lovers.

Tuscan reds, even those made from international grapes, stand out for their bright acidity, fresh fruit, and savoury, sometimes mineral notes. Flavours of Mediterranean herbs, lively structure, and a clear sense of energy come from Tuscany’s sunny hills and varied soils. This gives the wines a unique character and makes them very food-friendly.

Both wines use Bordeaux grapes, but each shows a clear Tuscan character shaped by the local land and winemaking approach.

Guidalberto 2021 (Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri)

Critical consensus: Elegant and harmonious, with blackcurrant, plum, cedar, and tobacco. Soft, plump tannins, fresh acidity. ABV 13.5%. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (40%). Scores: Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 92, James Suckling 93. Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): $45–$65 USD. Vintage score (Bolgheri 2021): 97 (Wine Advocate). Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): HK$350–$520.

When I tasted Guidalberto 2021, I found soft, generous tannins and fresh plum and black cherry flavours. Tobacco and cedar added depth, leading to a subtle, gentle finish. This medium-bodied wine is more intense than earlier, softer vintages, but does not reach the structure and depth of the estate’s top years. Its moderate 13.5% ABV and high Merlot content keep it balanced and fresh. The strong scores from Decanter (91), Wine Spectator (92), and James Suckling (93) confirm its elegance and value.

Giusto di Notri 2020 (Tua Rita, Suvereto)

Critical consensus: Dense, powerful, inky and complex. Blackberry, blackcurrant, balsamic, iron, graphite, and spice. Firm but polished tannins, long finish. ABV 15%. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet Franc (8%). Scores: Wine Advocate 96, Wine Spectator 95, James Suckling 96. Vintage score (Tuscany 2020): 96 (Wine Advocate). Wine-Searcher price range (as of 2024): HK$700–$1,000.

Giusto di Notri 2020 looked inky and dense in the glass, showing youthful concentration. The aroma brought blackberry, cassis, and spice, along with graphite, iron, and balsamic, which are classic for Suvereto. On the palate, it was full-bodied, creamy, and mineral, with firm, polished tannins. The finish was long, savoury, and clearly saline. The wine’s depth and structure stand out, and the 15% ABV is well balanced. It tastes good now with decanting, but as the high scores from WA (96), WS (95), and JS (96) show, it is made to age.

Comparison

Guidalberto is refined and easy to enjoy early, with the classic balance and versatility of Bolgheri wines.

Giusto di Notri is powerful, structured, and intense, making it ideal for ageing and for those who want depth in their wine.

Bottom Line

Both of these Super Tuscans are excellent. Choose Guidalberto if you want elegance and versatility, or Giusto di Notri if you prefer depth and a wine that will age well. Our prices are fair and reflect the quality of our storage and provenance: $360 for Guidalberto 2021 and $518 for Giusto di Notri 2020.