Sassicaia 1999, Tenuta San Guido

"1999 was a warm vintage and a very hot summer throughout Tuscany, but it was not as hot as 2005 or 2003. There was no rain in spring and summer, so the harvest was earlier than usual, starting in August and ending mid-September. The 1999 Sassicaia was undervalued a little when it first appeared on the market, and it was only appreciated later. This was because it came after vintages like 1996, 1997 and 1998 which were all excellent. Today this wine still looks sprightly and alive. There are aromas of sweet grass, hay, spice, and the fresh leather notes of a mature wine, but the nose is not oxidative or tertiary. There is a spine of fresh acidity giving vibrancy and lingering, fine, grainy tannins. This wine has aged very gracefully. It is mature and drinking now." 94/100, Susan Hulme MW, Decanter, Nov'2022

"Deep garnet and very little sign of age in the colour. Some cedary freshness and a touch of old polished furniture. Dark cherry and still has some cassis. Very slight touch of coffee. Rich, smooth chocolate texture but it lightens up to a refined finish. Still has great balance and length and finishes with that mouthwatering freshness that is, for me, Sassicaia's hallmark. Lots of complexity." 18/20, Julia Harding, Feb 2010

"Saturated dark ruby. Sultry aroma of crushed blackberry complicated by a whiff of cinnamon. Layers of earthy, mouthfilling blackberry flavor are supported by gauzy tannins and a welcome core of acidity, followed by white pepper and graphite on the pliant finish. Supple and elegant." 91/100 Edward Beltrami, Vinous, Jul 2003

"Complex aromas of minerals, berries, tobacco and shells. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a succulent, refined aftertaste. A pretty Sass. Best after 2004." 92/100 Winespectator pts, Sep 2002

The Estate & Wine
The only wine from a single estate in Italy to enjoy the privilege of having been granted a DOC of its own (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC), it's truly a Tuscany gem. Sassicaia wasn't the first super Tuscan per se but Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was indeed the one who sowed the seeds of the Super Tuscan movement by choosing to import the so called Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc) to plant in his vineyard in Bolgheri instead of the native Tuscan, Sangiovese. The wine, initially planted for just personal consumption (and it remained as much for over two decades), over the period of time became so good that it when it finally hit the market around the late 1960s, it was an instant sensation. An equal credit goes to the fortuitous coming together of Marchese Mario Incisa with the oenologist Giacomo Tachis.