Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia 1999, Tuscany, Italy
SKU:
750ml
SGD435.00
SGD395.00
SGD395.00
Vintage: 1999
Varietal: Red Super Tuscan Blend
Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia
Drinking Window: 2004-2040
Alcohol Content: 14% Vol
Scores (if you care about): Jancis Robinson: 18/20
Winespectator: 92/100
Antonio Galloni/Vinous: 91 pts
The only wine from a single estate in Italy to enjoy the privilege of having been granted a DOC of its own (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC), it’s truly a Tuscany gem. Sassicaia wasn’t the first super Tuscan per se but Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was indeed the one who sowed the seeds of the Super Tuscan movement by choosing to import the so called Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc) to plant in his vineyard in Bolgheri instead of the native Tuscan, Sangiovese. The wine, initially planted for just personal consumption (and it remained as much for over two decades), over the period of time became so good that it when it finally hit the market around the late 1960s, it was an instant sensation. An equal credit goes to the fortuitous coming together of Marchese Mario Incisa with the oenologist Giacomo Tachis. At a 1978 Decanter tasting of "great clarets", a panel including Hugh Johnson, Serena Sutcliffe and Clive Coates awarded the 1972 Sassicaia victory over a field of 33 wines from 11 countries, and established the wine's international reputation. Sassicaia was already well known by the 1980s, but there was a sensation when Robert Parker awarded the 1985 vintage 100 points, saying that he often mistook it for 1986 Mouton-Rothschild.
Tasting Notes and Reviews
"Deep garnet and very little sign of age in the colour. Some cedary freshness and a touch of old polished furniture. Dark cherry and still has some cassis. Very slight touch of coffee. Rich, smooth chocolate texture but it lightens up to a refined finish. Still has great balance and length and finishes with that mouthwatering freshness that is, for me, Sassicaia’s hallmark. Lots of complexity.". 18/20, Julia Harding, Feb 2010
"Saturated dark ruby. Sultry aroma of crushed blackberry complicated by a whiff of cinnamon. Layers of earthy, mouthfilling blackberry flavor are supported by gauzy tannins and a welcome core of acidity, followed by white pepper and graphite on the pliant finish. Supple and elegant." 91 pts, Edward Beltrami/Vinous, Jul 2003
"Complex aromas of minerals, berries, tobacco and shells. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a succulent, refined aftertaste. A pretty Sass. Best after 2004." 92/100 Winespectator pts, Sep 2002
Tasting Notes and Reviews
"Deep garnet and very little sign of age in the colour. Some cedary freshness and a touch of old polished furniture. Dark cherry and still has some cassis. Very slight touch of coffee. Rich, smooth chocolate texture but it lightens up to a refined finish. Still has great balance and length and finishes with that mouthwatering freshness that is, for me, Sassicaia’s hallmark. Lots of complexity.". 18/20, Julia Harding, Feb 2010
"Saturated dark ruby. Sultry aroma of crushed blackberry complicated by a whiff of cinnamon. Layers of earthy, mouthfilling blackberry flavor are supported by gauzy tannins and a welcome core of acidity, followed by white pepper and graphite on the pliant finish. Supple and elegant." 91 pts, Edward Beltrami/Vinous, Jul 2003
"Complex aromas of minerals, berries, tobacco and shells. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a succulent, refined aftertaste. A pretty Sass. Best after 2004." 92/100 Winespectator pts, Sep 2002