Bolgheri DOC Sassicaia 2020 Tenuta San Guido

Sassicaia is one of the most iconic and internationally celebrated wines, produced in the historic Tenuta San Guido, located in the heart of the Maremma Toscana. Its history dates back to the 1940s, when Mario Incisa della Rocchetta decided to experiment with the cultivation of Bordeaux vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, realizing that the stony and calcareous soils of Bolgheri could give extraordinary results. The first Sassicaia was produced for private use, but thanks to the exceptional quality of its vintages, it became famous already in the 1970s, when one of its vintages won a blind tasting against some of the best French wines. Since then, Sassicaia has revolutionized Italian viticulture, placing Bolgheri among the most renowned areas in the world for the production of great red wines. Today, Sassicaia is recognized as an absolute benchmark for elegance and longevity, celebrated for its ability to age beautifully and for the aromatic complexity that comes from the union of Cabernet Sauvignon with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc.

The 2020 vintage

The 2020 vintage was generally positive, with a rather warm climate in the last stages of the seasonal cycle. After a rainy autumn and mild temperatures, winter brought intense cold starting in February, while spring was characterized by fluctuating temperatures and some night frosts in March. Despite the unstable weather conditions, the vines did not suffer significant damage. The summer was sunny and warm, with short interruptions of beneficial rains in July and August, which helped avoid water stress to the plants. The grapes ripened a few days earlier than average, healthy and with an excellent balance between sugars and phenolic maturity.

The grapes destined for the production of Sassicaia 2020 were selected by hand and then subjected to soft pressing and delicate destemming to avoid breaking the berries. Alcoholic fermentation took place spontaneously in steel tanks, maintaining temperatures below 27-28°C. During vinification, frequent delestages and pumping over contributed to perfect aromatic extraction and to maintaining a high level of freshness. Malolactic fermentation was completed by November and the wine was transferred to French oak barriques in early December, where it continued to age for over 25 months.

Sassicaia 2020 expresses intense notes of black fruits such as currant and blackberry on the nose, accompanied by hints of sweet spices, tobacco and balsamic nuances. On the palate, the wine is structured, with fine and silky tannins, which contribute to a sensation of great elegance. The finish is long and balanced, with a freshness that perfectly balances the ripeness of the fruit.

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled or braised red meat dishes, such as beef fillet or stewed wild boar.