Tenuta San Guido

Sassicaia 2015

Lorsque nous parlons des grands vins en ce monde, le 'Sassicaia' italien mérite d’être évoqué. Issu d’un terroir méconnu avant sa création, élaboré à partir de cépages bordelais et élevé en fûts de chêne français, ce monument d’œnologie en rouge est un synonyme de haute qualité de la viticulture toscane moderne.

Love the aromas to this young red with blackcurrants, sage, cinnamon and five-spice character. Changes all the time. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with a ripe and rich tannin backbone that gives form and beauty to the ripe and beautiful fruit. Tight and very long. Approachable now but will reward more in five to six years. A classic Sassicaia.

The 2015 vintage was also a very hot vintage and produced a bolder, riper style of wine which was much loved and appreciated by wine critics and collectors alike, but for Tenuta San Guido themselves it was less typically Sassicaia and a little less elegant and reserved than their preferred style. However, it is a wine with a lot of charm. It is big, bold and full bodied with aromas of toast and cream and plenty of ripe blackberries. This 2015 has a young, forceful personality that’s hard not to like. Full of charm.

Having followed this wine's evolution in barrel for the past few years, it is an honor to evaluate the final product. This Sassicaia has blossomed since my previous encounters with it as a young, awkward adolescent. The long-awaited 2015 Bolgheri Sassicaia represents a tremendous effort that comes together with seamless precision and focus. This is a confident and proud red wine from Tuscany. Starting with the primary material at hand, you sense the quality of fruit thanks to the wine's beautifully dark appearance and the rich texture it offers to the palate. The acidity is integrated, but more freshness still would have been welcomed in my view (and would also contribute to its longevity). The bouquet is amplified both in terms of volume and length. Its playlist includes dark berry fruit, spice, leather, licorice and roasted coffee bean. Yet, the mouthfeel is extremely graceful and silky. The wine's undisputed pedigree is showcased on the palate. It should also be noted that this edition of Sassicaia feels more ready and open to me. It will age and evolve beautifully, but the 2015 Sassicaia can also be enjoyed in the medium-term. This wine is all about the here and now.