Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia 2018

Tenuta San Guido

2018
Red, En-Primeur
Toscana IGT

Sassicaia is today one of the most sought-after fine wines in the world. The Sassicaia estate at Bolgheri came from Mario Incisa della Rocchetta's wife's family who had owned land there since 1800 - the name Sassicaia means,place of many stones, and the gravelly soil has been compared to those found in the Médoc. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and engaged the services of Piero Antinori's winemaker, Giacomo Tachis.

"The 2018 Sassicaia is fabulous. Bright and beautifully poised, the 2018 opens with brilliant aromatics that make a strong first impression. Delicate and light on its feet, the 2018 is a regal wine that is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Sassicaia is the most finessed of Bolgheri’s top wines. That is very much the case in 2018 as well. I loved it.
A cold winter led to a late spring and delayed start to the year. May and June saw some heat, but only moderate temperatures. Only July was truly warm, with minimal diurnal shifts. Cool winds arrived again in August, and temperatures dropped quickly, especially at night. Mid-August saw some rain. Harvest started on September 7 with the Franc and wrapped up on the 29th with the last of Cabernet Sauvignon. The year favored the estate’s oldest vineyards, those on hillside sites. The 2018 spent 19 months in oak, two-thirds new, a bit more new oak than the norm. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Franc, a bit less Franc than is often the case, as Franc suffered more under the conditions of the season." Antonio Galloni

Sassicaia 2018 will be available in early June 2021

Producer
Tenuta San Guido
Region
Tuscany
Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Alcohol-abv
14%
Reviews

James Suckling 97 Points, Robert Parker 97 Points

Ratings

97 Points James Suckling

97 Points Robert Parker

Tuscany

Tuscany

One of Italy’s most preferred by wine connoisseurs, the region of Tuscany is probably only rivalled for its prestige by Piedmont, in the north. Tuscany contains a number of very fine DOC and DOCG appellations within its geographical borders, and is also home to the Super Tuscans. By far the most relevant Tuscan appellation is Chianti Classico, where some incredible wines that compete at the highest level are produced. Many of these amazing Chiantis will age for over twenty years. Chianti shares Tuscany with Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, both of which produce wines of great quality. Brunello is a local variety of the Sangiovese grape. The warm temperatures coming off the coast, combined with the cool breezes from the hills, create a multitude of microclimates.

DOCG and DOC

IGT: Toscana; Colli della Toscana Centrale; Vermentino di Toscana

DOC: Barco Reale di Carmignano; Bolgheri; Chianti; Elba; Maremma Toscana; Rosso di Montalcino; Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC;Vin Santo del Chianti; Vin Santo del Carmignano

DOCG:Brunello di Montalcino; Chianti Classico; Chianti Classico Riserva; Carmignano; Morellino di Scansano; Vernaccia di San Gimignano; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Tuscany accounts for over thirty DOC and half a dozen of DOCG wines. In addition to the great, well-known and appreciated reds, the local production includes a few distinguishable whites, the most notable among them being, without doubt, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Other delicious whites include the Bianco d'Elba, Bianco di Bolgheri, Vermentino and Bianco di Pitigliano.

Grape varieties

One of the most well known is Sangiovese the mainstay in all but one of Tuscany's seven red-wine DOCGs. In Montalcino it goes by the name Brunello, hence the name Brunello di Montalcino; in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano it is locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. Chianti, famed the world over, also features Sangiovese, as well as permitting the addition of small amounts of Canaiolo and Colorino, and international gems Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. As well as being famed for its reds, Tuscany produces some distinguished whites, one of which has achieved DOCG status: Vernaccia di San Gimignano.