…from obscurity to firm members of the fine wine ranks. Whilst Bordeaux and Burgundy boast ancient, revered vineyards with rich histories stretching back to Charlemagne, the Romans and beyond, Bolgheri has made its move with breathtaking speed.

As so often, it is down to the efforts of a small group of courageous pioneers. Foremost was Mario Incisa della Rochetta and his now worldwide icon, Sassicaia. His realisation that the soils of the Maremma were as ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc as those of the banks of the Gironde was the catalyst for the emergence of this region and an explosion of new, exciting wines.

Today his San Guido estate, run so ably by his son Nicolò and step-grandson Sebastiano Rosa, along with high flying neighbours Tenuta dell’Ornellaia and Angelo Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda lead the way. This is no accident – all three estates have their best vineyards planted on the prime seam of land in upper Bolgheri that includes the famous white stone soils.

To have earned the label of Italy’s First Growths is an enormous achievement. To find out more, including current availability, please contact us.

All prices featured are inclusive of duty & VAT

Guidalberto 2007 Tenuta San Guido

£165.00 per 6 - add to basket

This wine has leaped in quality and style and now very much reflects the character and terroir of Sassicaia itself. 2007 was another brilliant year and this wine is now firmly into its stride. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with a significant proportion of the Cabernet being a direct declassification of the Sassicaia cuvee.

Sassicaia 2004 Tenuta San Guido

£1344.65 per 12 - add to basket

The 2004 Sassicaia is a lovely, understated effort. Medium in body, it presents nuanced layers of sweet dark fruit, licorice, menthol and toasted oak that gradually open onto a finely-knit frame of notable length. Today it appears to be quite reticent and still holding back much of its potential. Both bottles I sampled showed less vibrancy and freshness in both color and flavors than the other top 2004s I tasted alongside it, suggesting that the wine is still suffering from bottle shock. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. - 93 points, Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com

Camarcanda 2004 Gaja

£366.60 per 6 - add to basket

Beautiful deep colour with prune fruit with low key new wood influences on the nose. On the palate an amazing attack of dark fruits and intense minerality with touches of lavender and tar.

Ornellaia 2001 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

£701.10 per 6 - add to basket

The super-finessed 2001 Ornellaia (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) opens with a deeply expressive nose. It is a concentrated, full-bodied effort. The appearance of tobacco and licorice suggest that this wine is entering the early portion of is maturity, but there is plenty of fruit as well as structure to support another decade of aging. 94/Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017. - 94 points, Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com

Le Volte, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

£85.80 per 6 - add to basket

Fresh, lightly spiced red and black berry fruit notes and a creamy texture on the palate. The soft Merlot tannins combine with the structure of Cabernet and the classic liveliness of Sangiovese to make for a savoury, satisfying and quintessentially Italian profile.