ABolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido · Over €120
reliability medium
285,00 € 414,02 €
BBolgheri Superiore DOC – Ornellaia
Ornellaia · Over €120
reliability high
192,15 € 230,09 €
The verdict
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Ornellaia and Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenuta San Guido neck and neck
7,8 versus 7,7: the gap is too small to separate them on the overall rating. The choice comes down to the criteria that matter to you, below.
Choose Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenuta San Guido if…
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,4 vs 7,1) : Pairings with red meats, game and aged cheeses, profile of red fruits, spices, tobacco and leather, serving at 16-18 °C, ageing potential.
- you prioritise producteur & vinification (7,7 vs 7,4) : Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, steel tank fermentation then aging in French oak for at least 24 months; organic and hand harvesting not specified.
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,8). No distinction is mentioned; the producer Tenuta San Guido is presented as a pioneer of the Super Tuscans and Sassicaia born in 1968, with no guide named.
Choose Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Ornellaia if…
- you prioritise reconnaissance (8,7 vs 6,8) : 3 bicchieri, 3 Veronelli stars, 5 Bibenda grappoli, 4 AIS viti, Parker, Suckling and Wine Spectator at 90: multiple high-level distinctions.
- you care about merlot et petit Verdot: amenities that only this listing mentions
- your budget matters: from €192 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: polyvalence à table (7,1). Red meats, game and aged cheeses, red fruit-spice-balsamic profile, served at 16-18 °C; pairings rather generic.
Reliability medium / high : ratings based on the file of each listing, not on a stay by our team · Ratings of the 20 October 2026 · Our rating method
Tosco's word
The Toscane Cachée rating places Ornellaia (7.8) ahead of Sassicaia (7.7), and the gap is decided by recognition: three bicchieri, three Veronelli stars, five Bibenda grappoli and four AIS viti for the former, versus no distinction mentioned for the latter. At €192 versus €285, Ornellaia offers a stronger value for money, although Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia shines through its versatility at the table (8.4) with its tobacco-leather profile and aging potential. If you're looking for a multi-awarded and less expensive wine, go for Ornellaia; if you prefer a more assertive pairing and budget matters less, Sassicaia will suit you, but its average reliability and high price reserve it for knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Tosco only cites facts from this head-to-head: ratings, criteria, prices, amenities. Text calculated once, checked by the code.
Criterion by criterion
The 5 criteria of the score
Why these ratings?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu…Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC appellation and Bolgheri area named, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, pioneer of the Super Tuscans, dedicated DOC in 1994.
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne…Bolgheri Superiore DOC and Bolgheri zone (Costa Toscana) named, with detailed Bordeaux blend: precise appellation and grape varieties.
Why these ratings?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu…No distinction is mentioned; the producer Tenuta San Guido is presented as a pioneer of the Super Tuscans and Sassicaia born in 1968, with no guide named.
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne…3 bicchieri, 3 Veronelli stars, 5 Bibenda grappoli, 4 AIS viti, Parker, Suckling and Wine Spectator at 90: multiple high-level distinctions.
Why these ratings?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu…Price of 285 € with crossed-out price at 414.02 € for a Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC; consistent with the described rank, but no distinction confirms the value.
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne…€192.15, reduced price €230.09, for a multi-awarded Bolgheri Superiore: price consistent with its rank, without being cheap.
Why these ratings?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu…Pairings with red meats, game and aged cheeses, profile of red fruits, spices, tobacco and leather, serving at 16-18 °C, ageing potential.
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne…Red meats, game and aged cheeses, red fruit-spice-balsamic profile, served at 16-18 °C; pairings rather generic.
Why these ratings?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu…Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, steel tank fermentation then aging in French oak for at least 24 months; organic and hand harvesting not specified.
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne…Ornellaia, named and located in Bolgheri, fermented in steel, extended maceration and aged 18 to 24 months: practices detailed.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – Tenu… | Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Orne… |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 285,00 € | 192,15 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 285,00 € | 192,15 € |
| Estate | Tenuta San Guido | Ornellaia |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | medium | high |
| Color | Red | Red |
| Area | Bolgheri & Etruscan Coast | Bolgheri & Etruscan Coast |
| Price | More than 120 € | More than 120 € |
| Vintage | 2023 | 2023 |
| Estate | Tenuta San Guido | Ornellaia |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines |
| Cabernet | Yes | Yes |
| Sauvignon | Yes | Yes |
| Merlot | not specified | Yes |
| Petit Verdot | not specified | Yes |
Bottle of ItalyIf you book or order through one of these links, we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The partner never influences the rating or the verdict.
Change an address
Other well-rated wines
Other duels
The other head-to-heads: Bolgheri & Côte des Étrusques
vs
Wines · Bolgheri & Etruscan Coast
Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Grattamacco or Bolgheri Superiore DOC – Tenuta Argentiera?
Same rating, two different addresses
vs
Wines · Bolgheri & Etruscan Coast
Bolgheri Rosso DOC – Podere Sapio or Bolgheri Rosso DOC – Diario di Vaira?
Two budgets: €17 versus €27
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health, consume in moderation.
All wines