Extraordinary...iconic...world renowned - these are the words most often used to describe Sassicaia and rightly so. A real gem of a wine, this is the Super-Tuscan of all Super-Tuscans! Regarded by many as the first ever Super-Tuscan wine produced, Sassicaia is wine defined by superlatives.
Absolutely delicious, this is structured, rich, profound and age-worthy. A Bordeaux blend in varieties, primarily driven by Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) and some Cabernet Franc (15%), but quintessentially Tuscan in execution and flavour. An exceptional wine, this is full of blackberry, mulberry and plum with herbaceous notes and a hint of Parma Ham layered on top. Sleek, sensuous, rich, concentrated, arrestingly vital and very, very fine.
Designed to impress and made to enjoy.
The vineyards here, on the coastal edge of Tuscany, by the Tyrrhenian Sea, are rich in limestone, marl and pebbles, as well as partially clay: soils that almost exactly mirror those found in Bordeaux, hence the amazing affinity to the French region's native grape varieties.
The Marchese Incisa della Rochetta received a slap on the wrist when he first produced this wine, which broke the local conventions and laws; but, as there is no such thing as bad publicity, the clamour to try this adventurous wine drove up demand and the price, culminating in the 1986 vintage, still regarded by many as one of the greatest Italian wines. Ever.
In 1994 Sassicaia was granted its own unique DOC (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC), the only wine from a single estate in Italy to awarded this privilege. Amazing to think that Sassicaia originally eschewed DOC labelling due to the high restrictions imposed, gained worldwide praise using the more humbler IGT classification only to be rewarded with its own DOC!
Whilst stock is indeed limited (as with all wines made from this fabulous estate), Sassicaia is a truly wonderful wine and all the more reason to be snapped up quick!
The 2020 vintage has received endless plaudits: 97 points from Vinous "
bold, rapturous wine. Dark, fleshy and expansive on the palate, the 2020 offers up scents of blackberry jam, gravel, spice, new leather, licorice and crème de cassis. Potent tannins are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit."
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Style: Svelte, Structured, Smooth, Silky, Rich, Refined, Profound, Powerful, Meditation, Intense, Iconic, Full, Elegant, Dark, Complex, Broad, Balanced
Best food matches: Wild Boar, Venison, Veal, Steak, Roasts, Red Meats, Pasta, Lamb, Grills, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Christmas Dinner, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Casseroles, Beef
Alcohol: 13.5%
