2019 Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Case of 12 H/Btl [OCB]

LP100 "This 2019 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia is really very special. A subtle change has occurred and the typically aristocratic and elegant finesse of Sassicaia now has a little more joie de vivre. It is intense and deeply concentrated without being heavy and with very fine, beautifully integrated tannins that harmonize with the body of the wine. Carlo Paoli, MD and head of winemaking, views 2019 as “one of the great vintages of the last decades. Although it was not generous in quantity (about 15% less than in 2016), for the quality of the grapes… it is to be considered exceptional.” The winemaking team are at their peak in terms of understanding and managing the vineyards and the more extreme vintage variations they face due to climate change. There were 280,000 bottles made this year but in response to climate change, Paoli plans to reduce the quantity. The 2019 reminds me a lot of the sublime 2016 but somehow it is bolder with even more energy, vivacity, and exuberance." SH for TWI Sep 2022

DR100 "The 2019 Sassicaia is a truly beautiful wine. 2019 was a return to some normality in terms of the characteristics of the vintage after the cool wet and slightly humid 2018 and the hot and very dry 2017. 2019 had more regular weather patterns throughout the year. For Priscilla Incisa Della Rocchetta and the Tenuta San Guido team 2019 was one of the great vintages of the last decade, 'a fantastic growing season that one wishes to happen every year.' This wine is, of course, still very young and full of subtle, creamy oak and brilliant ripe blackberry fruit. A sort of joyful vivacity bubbles over in this wine. The wonderful thing about it, is that it already has a beautiful inner harmony with a delightful texture and weight and very finely melded, integrated tannins. It just needs time to really show its full potential." SH for DR Nov 2022

JS99 "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." JS Apr 2022