【Sassicaia, the King of Italian Wines 】
【A leader in Super Tuscany, breaking conventions by using international grape varieties for winemaking】
【Renowned as Italy's Lafite, the premier of the four great classical wines 】
【Superior quality surpassing comparable wineries, forcing the official establishment of a separate DOC (Decanter of Italy) classification for differentiation】
【Defeated the five first-growth French wines at the Decanter London blind tasting 】
【Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 97 】
【Wine Spectator 95 】
【Wine Enthusiast 98】
Region/Classification: Italy Super Tuscan
Grape Variety: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Volume: 750ml
Since 1948, the winery has been producing Sassicaia, but until 1967, this wine was only enjoyed within the winery and not sold to the public. During those 20 years, they stored large quantities of the newly produced wine in their cellars for aging, believing that only time could prove their dedication. 1968 was a memorable year; after continuous improvements, Sassicaia was finally released to the market, and its aged flavor amazed the world. In 1978, Decanter, a prestigious British wine magazine, held a blind tasting competition in London, and two of the five world-class judges awarded Sassicaia the highest score. From then on, the winery's reputation soared, earning it the title of "King of Italian Wines" and the reputation of "Italian Lafite."
The 2021 vintage received a perfect 100 points from Wine Advocate! Aged for 24 months in oak barrels, it exhibits notes of leather and autumn leaves, along with aromas of cinnamon and cloves. The palate is bursting with fruit flavors, showcasing redcurrant, blueberry, sweet pomegranate, and cherry notes. The acidity is pronounced. It boasts impeccable balance, exceptional freshness, and absolutely no signs of overripeness. The tannins are skillfully managed, abundant yet remarkably soft, culminating in a long finish.
【Tenuta San Guido 】
Tenuta San Guido, located in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Italy, was founded in the 1840s. It is a pioneering force in the Italian wine industry, being the first to use international grape varieties and creating the "Italian-International Style." Even more impressively, it earned the title of "King of Italian Wines" with just one wine: Sassicaia! Although not a designated Italian Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), and classified as an IGT (Imperial Grain Taurine) wine, this does not diminish its status within the Italian wine world. Numerous accolades, such as "Italy's Lafite," "one of the world's best Cabernet Sauvignon," "one of the three Italian wines to receive a perfect score from Robert Parker," "the King of Italian Wines of the 20th Century," and "the progenitor of the new Super Tuscany," all attest to the winery's success and represent a profound affirmation of its excellence.
Currently, the winery's vineyards cover approximately 70 hectares, all located within the Sassicaia DOC appellation. The vineyards are planted with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, with an average vine age of 25-30 years. The grapes are primarily fermented and aged in French small oak barrels. Besides the flagship wine, Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido has two other series. One is Guidalberto, the winery's second label, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, featuring the chapel on the label. The other is Le Difese, the winery's first wine using Sangiovese grapes.
