Tenuta San Guido, ‘Sassicaia’ 2017

Critics

“Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish. Drink 2022–2032.” – 97 pts, Kerin O’Keefe

“The 2017 vintage for Sassicaia was described by winemaking consultant Graziana Grassini as ‘contracted and difficult, but it evolved impressively well with great strides during the oak ageing’. The wine shows a great intensity and elegance on the super-restrained nose of bramble fruit, layered with cedar, kiwi peel and a touch of oak. Surprisingly velvety, silky tannins and brilliant acidity are supported by creamy mid-palate weight with an amazingly savoury finish of cedar and tobacco.” – 96 Points, Decanter

Producer

Tenuta San Guido is owned by the Incisa della Rocchetta family and located in Bolgheri. The estate is home to the world-class wine that started the Super Tuscan movement – Sassicaia. Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the land below the castle at Castilioncello in 1940, initially a personal affair the wine was consumed by the family, but the vineyard was expanded in 1965 and the first Sassacaia was released in 1968 to international acclaim. Today the estate has around 75 hectares of vines scattered around Bolgheri and their flagship wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc continues to impressive critics and wine-lovers. A second wine, Guidalberto, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese, was released in 2000.