Perfect Score For Sassicaia 2021

Sassicaia was the first Super Tuscan wine ever made. Mario Incisa della Roccheta has created a wine that not only entered Italy's Wine Pantheon but also achieve fame amongst collectors across the globe. From their Top Cuvee Sassicaia to Guidalberto, a more affordable fine wine with its own character and third wine Le Difese, they make stunning wines to fit every budget.

We believe that Sassicaia is one of the greatest wine creations of the century. It also happens to be simply wonderful to drink. May it thrive through the new millennium. - Serena Sutcliffe MW & David Peppercorn MW

Sassicaia's Story

In the 1920’s, the young Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta always dreamt of producing an iconic wine made in harmony with nature. When he arrived in Maremma in the 1940s, he saw similarities in climate and soil between Bordeaux and the coastal vineyards of Bolgheri and firmly believed that Cabernet Sauvignon grown here could make wines that will rival the Bordeaux Grand Cru Classes.

He started to experiment with French grape varieties, and results from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were so good he decided to focus on this variety alongside Merlot, something completely new in Tuscany at the time. For 19 years, this revolutionary wine was kept hidden at the Tenuta San Guido estate for the consumption of friends and family. The Marchese finally released the first Sassicaia, meaning “place of many stones”, commercially in 1968 as an IGT. In the 1990’s this reputation was consolidated when Sassicaia was awarded its own DOC of Bolgheri Sassicaia. It is still the only Italian wine from a single estate to have a DOC of its own.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The property stretches over 2,500 hectares, however, only the most suitable lands with a unique soil type, microclimate, and exposure is planted with vines. The soils is mainly made of limestone rich in marl and pebbles as well as being partly clayey. The vines sit at 80 to 400 metres above sea level, with a west/south-west exposure.

The blend is usually about 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats. The wines are aged in French oak barriques, and a small part in American oak, for 18 to 25 months, depending on the year.

2021 - The Growing Season

2021 started with a mild and wet winter followed by an early bud break in March. The gradual rise in temperatures and normal rainfall allowed the shoots to develop evenly before flowering in superb conditions throughout the Spring. Despite the hot summer with no rain, the previous rainfalls in winter and spring ensured the vines could access water reserves. The season ended with the ideal harvest conditions. As a result, 2021 is rated as very good (94–97-point range by Vinous compared to 94 the previous year).

2021 - The Scores

Sassicaia 2021 - Secure your allocation now

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. - 100 points, Robert Parker

Guidalberto 2021 - Secure your allocation now

A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Tenuta San Guido 2021 Guidalberto shows tart cherry fruit with darker tones of blackberry and plum. This vintage delivers especially chiseled and focused fruit characteristics that are elegantly framed by light spice, cola and earth. This vintage shows a heightened sense of intensity and territorial identity that is the hallmark of this storied estate. - 94 points, Robert Parker

Le Difese 2021 - Secure your allocation now

Le Difese in 2021 sports a majority of Sangiovese – 55% – in a break from the traditional 70/30 split in favour of Cabernet Sauvignon. Third-generation at Tenuta San Guido, Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, explained that this decision was made to enhance the wine's 'local Tuscan' character, and to improve its drinkability early on as 'a first step into the Tenuta San Guido world.' While the Cabernet is grown on the estate, the Sangiovese is sourced, as always, from long–term partners based in Chianti Rufina. Bright, incredibly vibrant red, black and blue fruits introduce subtle, finely grained tannins with notes of wood and chocolate. It's at once juicy, tangy and crunchy, with good ripeness and great acidity. Matured for eight months in used barriques. Drinking windows 2023 – 2033. - 91 points, Decanter