The 2019 Sassicaia is a magnificent release from Tenuta San Guido, widely regarded as one of Italy’s greatest wines and the original “Super Tuscan.” Produced in the coastal Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Sassicaia revolutionised Italian fine wine through its Bordeaux-inspired blend and uncompromising commitment to quality, elegance, and longevity.
The 2019 vintage is considered exceptional in Bolgheri, delivering wines of remarkable balance, aromatic precision, and structural finesse. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, sourced from the estate’s hillside vineyards characterised by gravelly soils, maritime influence, and cooling breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea. These conditions allow for slow ripening and the development of both concentration and freshness.
In the winery, fruit was carefully sorted and fermented with precision to preserve purity and vineyard character. Maturation took place in French oak barrels for approximately two years, allowing the wine to develop complexity and integration while maintaining its signature elegance.
The wine opens with an intensely layered bouquet of blackcurrant, dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, intertwined with notes of cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf, Mediterranean herbs, violets, and subtle spice. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and impeccably structured, with refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and extraordinary balance. Despite its concentration, the wine remains graceful and precise, culminating in a long, mineral-driven finish.
Still youthful and tightly framed, the 2019 Sassicaia will reward patient cellaring over 20–40+ years, developing profound tertiary complexity and further refinement with age. Decanting is recommended if enjoyed in its youth.
A truly iconic Italian wine and a cornerstone addition to any serious fine wine collection.
