2021 Tenuta San Guido “Sassicaia” Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

Sassicaia means “the place of many stones,” and refers to the region’s gravel soil. The original vineyards have a southwest exposure with extensive sun and maritime breezes that create robust vegetation. Grapes are handpicked, destemmed and crushed before fermenting with natural yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, then refined in bottle before release. Sassicaia’s success prompted the Italian government to grant the wine its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, beginning with the 1994 vintage.

The 2021 harvest was a beautiful one. Mild temperatures in the fall with a rainy and cold winter followed by a dry, but generally sunny spring. Northerly winds caused night temperatures to drop in March causing some buds thinning in early vines like Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Late spring was a mix of sun and rain and temperatures below the seasonal norm. The lower temperatures did not affect the plants, and the development of vegetation was regular, although with smaller bunches and berries resulting in lower production. The maturity of the grapes was in perfect balance. The harvest was completed by hand, beginning in the first days of September through the first week of October.

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in 40% new wood, 40% first passage and 20% 2nd passage barriques with subsequent decanting into steel tanks.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Hailed as the standard-bearer of Italian enology, the historic Tenuta San Guido estate is known for crafting “Sassicaia”, the world’s first Super Tuscan and an important contribution to Italy’s evolving reputation as a fine-wine producing nation in the mid-20th century. Sassicaia means “the place of many stones,” and refers to the region’s gravel soil. The original vineyards have a southwest exposure with extensive sun and maritime breezes that create robust vegetation. Grapes are handpicked, destemmed and crushed before fermenting with natural yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, then refined in bottle before release. Sassicaia’s success prompted the Italian government to grant the wine its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, beginning with the 1994 vintage.