Sassicaia 2019 - Tenuta San Guido

Sassicaia 2019 - Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia - Tenuta San Guido

99/100 James Suckling

When to drink it : Excellent ageing potential. Estimate: 2026-2045

Tasted by JS in 2022 : "The purity of the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit here is exceptional, with a character and sensitivity reminiscent of some of the great Sassicaias of the 1980s, such as the 1982 or the 1988. But this one is much more precise and clean. Aromas and flavors of currants and berries with cedar and earth. Sage and mint as well. This is a wine with balance, as well as structure, elegance and refinement. Hard not to drink it at this point, but give it time and respect. This will be a house classic and reminds me why I love this wine. Worth trying after 2026."

- Denomination: D.O.C. Bolgheri Sassicaia

- First vintage : 1968

- Blend of grapes : 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Cabernet Franc

- Analytical data: Alcohol content: 14.00%; PH: 3.46; Total acidity: 5.85; Residual sugar content: 0.20 g/l

- Type of soils: The soils are entirely located within the territorial delimitation of the D.O.C. Sassicaia. They have different and composite morphological characteristics, characterized by a strong presence of calcareous zones rich in galestro, as well as pebbles and stones ("Sassicaia" in local dialect means soil with a lot of stones) and also partially clay. The vineyards are located at an altitude of between 100 and 400 meters above sea level and are oriented West/Southwest.

- Training system: Spurred cordon

- Planting density: Between 3,600 plants/ha and 5,550 plants/ha for the oldest plants and 6,200 plants/ha for the youngest.w

A wine produced mainly from Cabernet The use of Cabernet Sauvignon represents a fundamental change in the Tuscan and Piedmontese tradition of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, respectively. The innovative decision to plant this grape variety at the Tenuta San Guido was partly due to the similarity that Mario Incisa had found between the Tuscan and Graves terrain in Bordeaux.

Each year, a few cases were stored for aging in the cellar of Castiglioncello di Bolgheri. The Marquisians soon realized that by aging the wine, it improved considerably.