Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia 2021
Sassicaia 2021 is the latest vintage of this iconic Tuscan wine. This vintage is of superior quality, as evidenced by its 100 Parker Points, and is proof that the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, inspired by the wines of Bordeaux, was right when he planted Cabernet Sauvignon on his Tuscan estate.
Winemaking process: The Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) and Cabernet Franc (15%) grapes are carefully harvested by hand and vinified individually. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by maceration for around 20 days. The wine matures for 24 months in French oak barrels, divided between 60 per cent new and 40 per cent second use.
Oenology: Carlo Paoli has been the General Manager of Tenuta san guido since 2009, where he oversees the entire oenology department.
Grapes : Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) Cabernet Franc (15%)
Keywords: Sassicaia 2021, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri Sassicaia
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.
Very classy and typical of Sassicaia with currant, tobacco, chocolate, sage and lavender on the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied with very integrated and refined tannins that are caressing and pretty with a lovely length and beauty. Such finesse and structure at the same time. Best in 2028 and beyond but already joy to taste. (01/2024)
The 2021 Sassicaia is one of the best young Sassicaias I can remember tasting, certainly on par with anything in recent memory. The preference here is picking on the earlier side relative to many neighboring properties, which is one of the reasons Sassicaia is always a wine of refinement more than opulence. At the same time, Sassicaia can be light. Not in 2021. All the elements came together during a long growing season to produce a rich, deep wine that marries textural intensity with classicism. Dark cherry/plum fruit, spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and spice all race across the palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural intensity and sheer power. The 2021 is one of the most concentrated Sassicaias on record. That allowed for long macerations, as long as 20 days for some Cabernets. Aging was 25 months in French oak barrels (95% French, 5% a mix of Hungarian and Slavonian wood), 40% new, 40% once-used barrels and 20% in twice-used barrels. One of the recent developments here is some bâtonnage in aging, which is used to build texture. That approach worked well in 2021. In a word: magnificent.
