The wine Sassicaia
The vineyards of Sassicaia are located from near the Tyrrhenian coast in the hills of Bolgheri and lie between roughly 80 and 400 meters above sea level. Sassicaia, meaning “stony ground,” comes from gravelly, stone-strewn soils that recall the great vineyards of the Médoc. This well-drained limestone, clay, and gravel terroir makes Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines to root deeply, which increases quality and complexity. The location near the Tyrrhenian Sea tempers summer heat with cooling breezes and diurnal shifts, preserving acidity and aromatic finesse. Higher plots such as Castiglioncello, among Bolgheri’s loftiest vineyards, contribute elegance, length, and a marked mineral nuance to the final blend, defining Sassicaia’s hallmark balance of power and refinement.
About the producer Tenuta san Guido
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, near the Tyrrhenian Sea, best known for its iconic wine, Sassicaia. The name means “stony ground” in the local dialect, referencing the vineyard’s terrain. Sassicaia’s production began in 1948 for private consumption at the estate. In 1965, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rochetta planted new vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, laying the foundation for the modern Sassicaia. The first commercial release in 1968 gained early acclaim, but worldwide fame came in 1978 when the wine triumphed in a Decanter blind tasting against leading international cabernets. As a pioneer of the Bordeaux-style “Super Tuscan” wines, Sassicaia was initially classified as a humble Vino da Tavola, but since 2013, it uniquely holds its own DOC designation: Bolgheri Sassicaia. The wine ferments in stainless steel, matures for 24 months in French oak barrels, and produces about 180,000 bottles annually. Tenuta San Guido also crafts Guidalberto and La Diffese wines, as well as a Grappa di Sassicaia. Sassicaia has attracted celebrity fans like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, the Beckhams, and Rihanna. Legendary vintages include 1985, 1988, 1990, 1997, 1998, 2001, and most years after 2006.
Tasting Note
The 2021 Sassicaia is astonishing, even at this early stage. It is and will become probably one of the Sassicaias of the last 30 years (like f.e. 2016). In the glass it shows a vivid, ruby red color The nose has notes of raspberry, lifted spice, lavender, dry earth, and fresh Mediterranean herbs with hints of sandalwood and no greennes. The palate is clean, shaped by ripe, fine tannins, beautiful acidity, but it is the radiant, pure fruit that really takes center stage and promises to hold its charm for decades. The balance is even at this age perfect, the complexity and concentration promises a legendary wine in a decade or more.
