Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri 2021

Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido, DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy, 2021

Grapes: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon & 15% Cabernet Franc, limestone/marl/clay soils, hand-harvested, wild yeast fermentation, 24 months' ageing in mostly French oak barrels (20% new)

One of the all time great wines of Italy (and the world), "Sassicaia" was first released commercially in 1968 by the Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. It's the only Italian estate to have its own DOC designation of Bolgheri Sassicaia. The wine's name, in English, means "Stony Field". Sold originally as a lowly Vino de Tavola (due to its grape blend), the wine became the first of the "Super Tuscan" estates to receive worldwide critical acclaim.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Here it is: A quintessential Sassicaia that represents the excellence of the vintage and also respects the unique taste profile of this distinguished Tuscan blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The Tenuta San Guido 2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia offers impeccable balance, excellent freshness and absolutely no signs of over-ripeness. The fruit balance is ideal with a hint of crunch and lasting tension from pulp and skins. The tannins are deftly managed with firm grip and enough velvetiness to add volume and length. There is no greenness on the bouquet that instead offers mulled herbs and spice, with cinnamon and clove, layered delicately between mostly red and some purple berry fruits. Redcurrant, blueberry, sweet pomegranate and Rainier cherry run strong in this vintage. A fragrant hint of heritage rose emerges with time. The oak tones are geared toward gingerbread, hazelnut, cigar, sandalwood and something like a grilled sweet red pepper. To the palate, it offers nice weight with no heavy glycerin, and a rinse of acidity that adds to the wine’s natural energy, brightness and viscosity. That marked freshness opens the wine up to long aging potential, but you still need to give it more time in bottle." Drink 2028 - 2060

100/100 points, Monica Larner, WINE ADVOCATE, January 2024

One of the best vintages ever made!