My Article: New Vintages of Sassicaia

Sassicaia is really on a roll right now, so you shouldn’t miss buying some of the recent releases. I don’t think we have seen so many excellent vintages from the famous Cabernet Sauvignon-based Tuscan red since the 1980s.

The last four vintages have been excellent, especially 2006, 2008 and 2009. I thought 2008 was the new 1988 (great wine and sometimes better than the legendary 1985 depending on the bottle), but maybe the 2009 is the new 1985? Granted, it is not 100 points like the 1985, but it is very close.

Yesterday I scored the 2009 98 points during a tasting video when I was surprised to be tasting the 2009 against the 2008 Sass. The 2009 showed more richness, more fruit and more structure than the 2008. Perhaps the 2008 was slightly closed?

Regardless, I think lovers of Sassicaia are going to debate the quality of the two vintages for a long, long time. I know I will.

Here are the tasting notes for the last four vintages with my most recent notes on 2009 and 2008 from the video, which has not been posted yet. Stay tuned for that in July.

2009 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia: This is fantastic. Intense and super long on the palate. It’s insanely complex yet subtle with so much going on, with a beautiful balance and tension. It is full and powerful with a big juicy character that goes on for minutes. Muscular yet covered with pretty fruit. Hard not to drink. But better in 2016. 98 points

2008 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia: Sexy wine with blackberries and flowers. All dressed up and beautiful. It’s full and velvety with ripe tannins and a persistent finish. Slows a little on the finish but clearly classy. I liked this one point more a year ago but it’s slightly closed now. Better in 2014. 96 points

2007 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia: This is classy on the nose with subtle currant, sweet tobacco, cigar box and dried flowers. Cassis too. Full body, with refined tannins and a solid core of fruit. Polished and very pretty. Long and delicious already. But you have to wait on this. It has so much more to give. Try after 2015. 93 points

2006 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia: Sweet tobacco, and berry with hints of currants. Full, soft and silky. Lots of fruit and a long finish. It’s subtle, dense and sophisticated. Please give this another five years to really show what it has. 95 points

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