San Guido
Sassicaia
VINTAGE
2016
COUNTRY
Italy
TABLE #
6306
REGION
Bolgheri, Tuscany
97
A rich, black cherry– and black currant–flavored red, accented by cedar, wild herb and spice notes, this is supple and vibrant, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and an emerging mineral element. Firms up nicely on the finish. Hard to keep from enjoying this now, but it will develop well with age. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2043. 17,200 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.
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. The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and crushed before fermenting with natural yeasts for 15 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged in French oak barriques (40% new) for 24 months, then refined for 6 months in bottle before release.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 24 months
2016 is a vintage worthy of praise, considered by some even better than the exceptional 2015. The fall was characterized by an unusually warm and dry climate. Proper winter started in late November with cold temperatures that remained low both day and night, until the end of January. At the beginning of April, the sharp rise in temperatures anticipated the sprouting of about 8-10 days. The proper arrival of the summer happened during the second half of June, with beautiful sunny days and summer temperatures. The veraison began at the end of July and the following weeks ensured an optimal phenolic and alcohol ripening of the grapes, allowing a longer permanence of the grapes on the plants. Great extraction in terms of color and anthocyanic structure, combined with an extraordinary aromatic component, elegant and subtle tannins are the distinguishing features of this Sassicaia vintage.
This wine is chiseled and sharp with blackberry, ripe cherry, grilled herb and barbecue spice. The aromas flow from the glass in a continuous stream and are all marked by radiant intensity. The mouthfeel is long and powerful. The crisp linearity of the wine’s tannic backbone is perfectly measured to the volume and depth of the fruit flavors.
Pair with braised meats and hard cheeses.
