100/100 Falstaff 100/100 Decanter 100/100 The Wine Independent 99/100 James Suckling 99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic 99/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast 98/100 Jeb Dunnuck 98/100 Wine Spectator 98/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95/100 CellarTracker 94/100 Vinous 99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic 98/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast 97/100 Falstaff 97+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96/100 Wine Spectator 96/100 Wine & Spirit Magazine 94/100 CellarTracker 19/20 Vinum Wine Magazine
Falstaff "Powerful, sparkling ruby colour. Intense and clear nose with lots of pronounced fruit, currants and mulberry, then subtle notes of cedar needles and spicy cedar with light resinous notes in the background. The palate is initially cool and polished with lots of juicy dark berry fruit, opening with grippy, dense tannins in many layers, building up to a rich drive and very powerful, long finish with some tobacco and subtle mint notes. A wine with a great and long future, drive and elegance."
Decanter "A perfectly woven structure is bound with signature freshness and fruit vibrancy, making this one for the long haul....Quite pale in the glass, the nose is extremely graceful and intense with a lavender note enhanced by restrained bramble fruits, fermented citrus peel, an intense violet aroma and graphite minerality in depth. The attack is soft and full, the flavor savoury and cedary through to the finish, with integrated velvety tannins and lifted acidity."
Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic "It’s very strong and it’s impossible to scratch the serious,austere sensory profile of Sassicaia 2019. Deep and comes alive silently in the glass over time, animating the scene with perfumes which strongly recall mediterranean herbs. The primary picture is rich in sour cherries, black prunes, black tea leaves, wet grass, cloves, nutmeg and marjoram. Memories of decisive oriental spices hover around the borders of the calamatic sensory image which are difficult to cross. Full bodied, sensual and noble in the sip showing grace and equilibrium, wisdom and knowledge which comes from a big, well projected vision that started with the workers in the vineyard. The silky tannins are perfectly polymerized and the finale of commendable canonic beauty brings back memories of a ‘Sanmartiniana’ perfection with it’s passion and impetus. A masterpiece of Italian oenology which could live forever."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Enticing aromas of blue flower, cassis, camphor and spice are front and center in this stunning red. The lithe, savory palate features black currant, red plum and star anise while tobacco notes linger on the long finish. Elegant, polished tannins and bright acidity keep it beautifully balanced and focused."
Jeb Dunnuck "The 2019 Sassicaia is exquisite and refined, with interwoven layers of cassis, leather, Mediterranean herbs, and dark mineral earth. It is medium to full-bodied, with ripe though present tannins and a long and elegant finish that lifts off the palate and has fantastic energy throughout, with notes of black cherry, tobacco, and a stony texture. There is a classic and tension-filled sensibility that will benefit from several years in cellar to achieve its full expression."
Wine Spectator "Supple and beautifully defined, with black cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit augmented by tobacco, iron and thyme. Firmly structured, tightening up as this lingers with an aftertaste of dark fruit, graphite and spice. Shows a sense of elegance as well as power and intensity."
James Suckling "The purity of cabernet sauvignon fruit is exceptional here, with character and sensibility that’s reminiscent of some of the great Sassicaias from the 1980s, such as 1982 or 1988. But this is much more precise and clean. Aromas and flavors of currants and berries with cedar and earth. Sage and minty character, too. It’s full-bodied yet there’s so much polish and balance, together with structure, elegance, and refinement. Hard not to drink at this stage, yet give it time and respect. This will be a classic Sass and reminds me why I love this wine."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015."
Vinous "The 2019 is a mid-weight, very classic feeling Sassicaia"
99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic "Extremely captivating in its deep and slightly austere sensory profile, Sassicaia 2018 displays complexity and tension within the Mediterranean aromatic framework, born from the splendid vintage in Bolgheri-Sassicaia. Hints of linden blend with notes of elderflower and coriander, setting a solid and high-performing stage. As seconds pass in the glass, the wine evolves, describing a beauty akin to few purebreds in its elegant liveliness and subtly snobbish essence of walnut husk, green tea leaves, and shelled nuts. The intriguing framework, constituting the tertiary soul of a layered wine, alternates between the opalescence of well-controlled healthy reduction and Mediterranean herbs reminiscent of marjoram, oregano, and parsley. On the palate, the wine is delicate and persuasive, showcasing a perfect extraction of polyphenolic components. The tannins are silky and, fused with the wine's natural acidity, accompany the sip progressively, closing confidently and brightly without hesitation. It is precise and juicy, carrying the grace of a young Bordeaux blend. (2018 vintage)
Falstaff "Shiny, rich ruby-violet. Crisp, clear fruit on the nose, precise, lots of cassis, blackberry and some leather. A lot of juicy fruit on the palate, amazing freshness, dark currant, great tension, grippy tannin with fine mint on the finish. One for the long term with certain ageing potential for many years." (2018 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "This is a classic vintage of an Italian icon now celebrating its 50th vintage. The Tenuta San Guido 2018 Bolgheri Sassicaia lays out a familiar blueprint that borrows from the proven track record of this landmark estate that extends into the hills just beyond the Tyrrhenian shores of Tuscany. This vintage is crystalline and pure in its delivery, and if you are familiar with previous editions, it is impossible to mistake this wine for anything but Sassicaia."(2018 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "All about radiance and finesse, this iconic Tuscan red has beguiling aromas of cedar, wild red berry, menthol and pipe tobacco that mingle with fragrant blue flowers. Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the focused, elegantly structured palate is vibrant and savory, delivering cassis, orange zest, licorice and a hint of coffee framed in taut, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced." (2018 vintage)
Vinum Wine Magazine "The legend of Bolgheri in its 50th anniversary year: intriguing and elegant nose on red fruits and balsamic notes; powerful attack, perfectly balanced, the finish is extremely harmonious on notes of undergrowth, spices, lots of fruit. Excellent food companion, but also a treat on its own!" (2018 vintage)
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 14%
Serena Sutcliffe MW & David Peppercorn MW. “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”.
Sassicaia is the granddaddy of all Super Tuscans, and the 2019 is one of the greatest editions of all time.
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
100/100 Falstaff 100/100 Decanter 100/100 The Wine Independent 99/100 James Suckling 99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic 99/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast 98/100 Jeb Dunnuck 98/100 Wine Spectator 98/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95/100 CellarTracker 94/100 Vinous 99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic 98/100 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast 97/100 Falstaff 97+/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96/100 Wine Spectator 96/100 Wine & Spirit Magazine 94/100 CellarTracker 19/20 Vinum Wine Magazine
Falstaff "Powerful, sparkling ruby colour. Intense and clear nose with lots of pronounced fruit, currants and mulberry, then subtle notes of cedar needles and spicy cedar with light resinous notes in the background. The palate is initially cool and polished with lots of juicy dark berry fruit, opening with grippy, dense tannins in many layers, building up to a rich drive and very powerful, long finish with some tobacco and subtle mint notes. A wine with a great and long future, drive and elegance."
Decanter "A perfectly woven structure is bound with signature freshness and fruit vibrancy, making this one for the long haul....Quite pale in the glass, the nose is extremely graceful and intense with a lavender note enhanced by restrained bramble fruits, fermented citrus peel, an intense violet aroma and graphite minerality in depth. The attack is soft and full, the flavor savoury and cedary through to the finish, with integrated velvety tannins and lifted acidity."
Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic "It’s very strong and it’s impossible to scratch the serious,austere sensory profile of Sassicaia 2019. Deep and comes alive silently in the glass over time, animating the scene with perfumes which strongly recall mediterranean herbs. The primary picture is rich in sour cherries, black prunes, black tea leaves, wet grass, cloves, nutmeg and marjoram. Memories of decisive oriental spices hover around the borders of the calamatic sensory image which are difficult to cross. Full bodied, sensual and noble in the sip showing grace and equilibrium, wisdom and knowledge which comes from a big, well projected vision that started with the workers in the vineyard. The silky tannins are perfectly polymerized and the finale of commendable canonic beauty brings back memories of a ‘Sanmartiniana’ perfection with it’s passion and impetus. A masterpiece of Italian oenology which could live forever."
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "Enticing aromas of blue flower, cassis, camphor and spice are front and center in this stunning red. The lithe, savory palate features black currant, red plum and star anise while tobacco notes linger on the long finish. Elegant, polished tannins and bright acidity keep it beautifully balanced and focused."
Jeb Dunnuck "The 2019 Sassicaia is exquisite and refined, with interwoven layers of cassis, leather, Mediterranean herbs, and dark mineral earth. It is medium to full-bodied, with ripe though present tannins and a long and elegant finish that lifts off the palate and has fantastic energy throughout, with notes of black cherry, tobacco, and a stony texture. There is a classic and tension-filled sensibility that will benefit from several years in cellar to achieve its full expression."
Wine Spectator "Supple and beautifully defined, with black cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit augmented by tobacco, iron and thyme. Firmly structured, tightening up as this lingers with an aftertaste of dark fruit, graphite and spice. Shows a sense of elegance as well as power and intensity."
James Suckling "The purity of cabernet sauvignon fruit is exceptional here, with character and sensibility that’s reminiscent of some of the great Sassicaias from the 1980s, such as 1982 or 1988. But this is much more precise and clean. Aromas and flavors of currants and berries with cedar and earth. Sage and minty character, too. It’s full-bodied yet there’s so much polish and balance, together with structure, elegance, and refinement. Hard not to drink at this stage, yet give it time and respect. This will be a classic Sass and reminds me why I love this wine."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015."
Vinous "The 2019 is a mid-weight, very classic feeling Sassicaia"
99/100 Raffaela Vecchione, WinesCritic "Extremely captivating in its deep and slightly austere sensory profile, Sassicaia 2018 displays complexity and tension within the Mediterranean aromatic framework, born from the splendid vintage in Bolgheri-Sassicaia. Hints of linden blend with notes of elderflower and coriander, setting a solid and high-performing stage. As seconds pass in the glass, the wine evolves, describing a beauty akin to few purebreds in its elegant liveliness and subtly snobbish essence of walnut husk, green tea leaves, and shelled nuts. The intriguing framework, constituting the tertiary soul of a layered wine, alternates between the opalescence of well-controlled healthy reduction and Mediterranean herbs reminiscent of marjoram, oregano, and parsley. On the palate, the wine is delicate and persuasive, showcasing a perfect extraction of polyphenolic components. The tannins are silky and, fused with the wine's natural acidity, accompany the sip progressively, closing confidently and brightly without hesitation. It is precise and juicy, carrying the grace of a young Bordeaux blend. (2018 vintage)
Falstaff "Shiny, rich ruby-violet. Crisp, clear fruit on the nose, precise, lots of cassis, blackberry and some leather. A lot of juicy fruit on the palate, amazing freshness, dark currant, great tension, grippy tannin with fine mint on the finish. One for the long term with certain ageing potential for many years." (2018 vintage)
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "This is a classic vintage of an Italian icon now celebrating its 50th vintage. The Tenuta San Guido 2018 Bolgheri Sassicaia lays out a familiar blueprint that borrows from the proven track record of this landmark estate that extends into the hills just beyond the Tyrrhenian shores of Tuscany. This vintage is crystalline and pure in its delivery, and if you are familiar with previous editions, it is impossible to mistake this wine for anything but Sassicaia."(2018 vintage)
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast "All about radiance and finesse, this iconic Tuscan red has beguiling aromas of cedar, wild red berry, menthol and pipe tobacco that mingle with fragrant blue flowers. Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the focused, elegantly structured palate is vibrant and savory, delivering cassis, orange zest, licorice and a hint of coffee framed in taut, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced." (2018 vintage)
Vinum Wine Magazine "The legend of Bolgheri in its 50th anniversary year: intriguing and elegant nose on red fruits and balsamic notes; powerful attack, perfectly balanced, the finish is extremely harmonious on notes of undergrowth, spices, lots of fruit. Excellent food companion, but also a treat on its own!" (2018 vintage)
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 14%
Serena Sutcliffe MW & David Peppercorn MW. “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”.
Sassicaia is the granddaddy of all Super Tuscans, and the 2019 is one of the greatest editions of all time.
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery situated in Bolgheri, Tuscany, celebrated for its iconic creation, Sassicaia. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the mid-20th century, this estate gained global recognition after Sassicaia's triumph in a historic 1978 blind tasting against Bordeaux wines. The vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate near the Tyrrhenian Sea and elevated altitudes, contributing to the exceptional quality of their wines. Beyond Sassicaia, the winery produces esteemed labels like Guidalberto and Le Difese, reflecting their commitment to expressing Bolgheri's terroir.
Tenuta San Guido's philosophy centers on showcasing elegance, structural finesse, and the distinct characteristics of the region, resulting in wines that have received critical acclaim and attained collectible status worldwide.
Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
