Bolgheri DOC Sassicaia 2021 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 2021 vintage

The 2021 vintage was characterized by a complex and varied climate trend. After a rainy autumn and a particularly harsh winter, marked by the February frosts brought by the polar cold of the "Burian", spring saw fluctuating temperatures with some sporadic frosts that hit the early vines. However, the vines did not suffer serious damage. The summer recorded high temperatures starting from the end of May, persisting without rain until the second half of July. From August, temperatures stabilized with cooler nights, favoring a balanced ripening of the grapes. The result was a harvest of exceptional quality, with small bunches and perfect phenolic maturity.

The grapes destined for the production of Sassicaia 2021 were subjected to manual selection on a sorting table, with gentle pressing to preserve the integrity of the berries. Alcoholic fermentation took place in steel tanks with selected yeasts, maintaining temperatures below 28-29°C. During the process, delestage and pumping over operations were carried out to promote polyphenolic extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurred spontaneously and ended at the beginning of December. The refinement took place in French oak barriques for 24 months, with subsequent refinement in the bottle before being released for sale.

Sassicaia 2021 presents elegant notes of ripe red fruits on the nose, accompanied by hints of tobacco, sweet spices and a light balsamic note. On the palate, the wine is broad and complex, with velvety tannins that support a balanced structure. The finish is long and persistent, with a pleasant freshness that invites the next sip.

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