Sassicaia Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC 2020
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Italy / Tuscany
Sassicaia means “the place of many stones,” and refers to the region’s gravel soil. All the vineyards located in different altitudes and exposures benefit from extensive sun and maritime breezes. 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
A positive and generally warm year. Autumn was humid with abundant rains that occurred from mid-October until the end of December. Temperatures were quite mild and, at times, above the seasonal average. Intense cold arrived in February with temperatures approaching 32°F. March began with strong sea winds and rains but with mild temperatures which contributed to the enlargement of the buds, especially of the early varieties such as Merlot. The end of March brought about a marked drop in temperatures with north winds and even some freezing at night. The result of this weather was a lower production per plant but a better quality and concentration of the fruit. April and May were mild with alternating sunny days and average seasonal temperatures with rainy days and cooler air. A somewhat unusual spring which did not cause damage to the vines but led them to more vegetation and production during the spring. After mid-June, the climate recovered, bringing sunny and warm days that continued until harvest time, except for some interruptions with precipitations in July and in August, to the benefit of the plants. The ripening of the grapes took place about 7-8 days earlier than normal and the beautiful sunny days prompted the grapes to reach full ripeness quickly. For this reason, the harvesting operations were speeded up, to avoid over-ripening.
Tasting Note
The 2020 is a beautiful vintage of Sassicaia that presents itself at a young age with a marked acidity and freshness and beautiful complexity both on the nose and in the mouth. It well identifies the style of elegance typical of Sassicaia in which the structure never dominates the elegance and flavor of the wine. 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. The tannins, although noble and silky, require a longer period of maturation in glass compared to other previous years, but already at a young age the wine presents itself with a beautiful freshness and very harmonious.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
APPELLATION: Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
PH: 3.47
ACIDITY: 6.05 g/l
ABV: 14.0%
AGING: Aged in barriques using 35% new wood, 45% first passage, and 20% second passage. Barriques are fine-grained, medium-toasted French oak (Troncais, Allier and Jupilles in particular) in order not to exceed the transfer of tannins. Sassicaia 2020, after more than 25 months of aging in wood, was decanted into steel tanks and further selected before final blending and then bottling. Subsequent refinement in the bottle.
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.
