Sassicaia Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC 2019
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Italy / Tuscany
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.
Harvest Note
After an autumn with mild temperatures and frequent rains, the winter was quite dry with temperatures often above the seasonal norm. Spring had come a little early and brought sunny days and an increase in temperature. The month of April had a substantial drop in temperature and was very rainy. Two short, small hailstorms occurred at the end of April and helped to thin out the young shoots without compromising them. June consisted of sunny days, normal temperatures, and excellent ventilation (especially at night). The end of June saw intense temperatures but this sultry heat lasted only for a short time. The temperatures dropped in August and allowed the grapes to reach an excellent balance between technical maturity and phenolic maturity. The significant temperature range between night and day favored the growth of very crunchy and healthy grapes.
Tasting Note
The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive. The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Cabernet Franc
APPELLATION: Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
PH: 3.47
ACIDITY: 6.05 g/l
ABV: 14%
AGING: At the end of the malolactic fermentation, the wine is placed in French oak barrels, (2/3rds new wood and the rest, first and second passage) where it spent a period of aging of 24 months.
Unique Selling Points
- So successful it was granted its own appellation Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in 1994
- A dense, complex wine of legendary longevity
- The first Super Tuscan, debuted in 1968
The overwhelming success of Sassicaia, and now the introduction of two new wines, traces back to the ambition of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta to plant Bordeaux varieties in Tuscany in the 1940s.
About the Grape
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc usually shows tart red cherry and wild currant aromas and flavors with an herbal, spicy character. In the Loire, esp. Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, this grape shows firm minerality.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is adaptable to various growing conditions, and is known for its low yield and late ripeness. It generally produces full-bodied wines with substantial acidity and tannins.
