By Tenuta San Guido
2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC Sassicaia

Wine Details
Sassicaia means 'the place of many stones' and refers to the region's gravel soil. All the vineyards located in different altitudes and exposures benefit from extensive sun and maritime breezes. Grapes are hand-picked, destemmed, and crushed before fermenting with natural yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in French oak barriques, then refined in bottle from release. Sassicaia's success as the first Super Tuscan (debuting in 1968) prompted the Italian government to grant the wine its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, beginning with the 1994 vintage.

Vintage Notes
2021 was a beautiful vintage. Autumn kicked off with mild temperatures and sporadic rain. The winter season was particularly rainy and cold, and the vines and underground water reserve benefited from the abundant rains. March was dry and generally sunny, with cold temperatures - especially in the first week - when northerly winds caused the night temperatures to drop close to 32 degrees F. April started with mild temperatures as if spring had finally arrived, but mid-month temperatures dropped again. The consequence was bud thinning in early vines such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Throughout April and a good part of May, the sun and rain alternated, with some sporadic storms and temperatures below the seasonal norm, especially in the early morning and at night. The state of the plants was not affected much; rather, they slowed due to the lower temperatures. Between May and June, temperatures went above the norm, with dry heat that persisted through July. The plants showed no signs of stress despite the intensity of the heat. Kaolin was used to limit the impact, which gave satisfactory results. In mid-August, temperatures returned to normal. The development of the vegetation was regular, although with smaller bunches and berries, which resulted in lower production. Thanks to the excellent climatic trend, the maturity of the grapes was in perfect balance. Harvest was carried out by hand, beginning in the first days of September and leading into the first week of October.

Vinification Notes
The wine was placed in second and third passage barriques, where frequent batonnages and the addition of noble lees were carried out. It was then transferred to approximately 40% new wood, 40% first passage, and 20% second passage barriques (French oak, Troncais, Allier, and Jupilles with extra-fine grain, light toasting, and long seasoning). 24-month aging period in wood with subsequent decanting into steel tanks.

Technical Details
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Production Area: Tuscany, Italy
Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
pH: 3.43
Acidity: 6.10 g/L

Tasting Notes
An unmistakable nose that immediately immerses the drinker in the terroir of Tenuta San Guido. The 2021 vintage fully expresses its complexity on the nose with fresh, minty lavender hints but also citrus notes mixed with sweet spices. In the mouth, it shows the character of the vintage with an enveloping but non-intrusive body, which gives infinite pleasure. The good saline component helps to make its way onto the palate, creating length and persistence. This wine, although already pleasant at a young age, after four to five years of aging, will have the maturity and richness - in terms of polyphenols - that characterize this vintage.
[Information provided by Kobrand Wine and Spirits]

2021 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia
Rating: 100
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Wine Region: Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri Sassicaia
Variety: Proprietary blend
Color / Type / Sweetness: Red / Table / Dry
Reviewed By: Monica Larner
Release Price: $300
Drink Date: 2028 - 2060
Here it is: A quintessential Sassicaia that represents the excellence of the vintage and also respects the unique taste profile of this distinguished Tuscan blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The Tenuta San Guido 2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia offers impeccable balance, excellent freshness and absolutely no signs of over-ripeness. The fruit balance is ideal with a hint of crunch and lasting tension from pulp and skins. The tannins are deftly managed with firm grip and enough velvetiness to add volume and length. There is no greenness on the bouquet that instead offers mulled herbs and spice, with cinnamon and clove, layered delicately between mostly red and some purple berry fruits. Redcurrant, blueberry, sweet pomegranate and Rainier cherry run strong in this vintage. A fragrant hint of heritage rose emerges with time. The oak tones are geared toward gingerbread, hazelnut, cigar, sandalwood and something like a grilled sweet red pepper. To the palate, it offers nice weight with no heavy glycerin, and a rinse of acidity that adds to the wine's natural energy, brightness and viscosity. That marked freshness opens the wine up to long aging potential, but you still need to give it more time in bottle.
Published: Jan 04, 2024

TENUTA SAN GUIDO 'Sassicaia' 2021
Rating: 100
Value: $300
Drink: 2027-2052
Vintage: 2021
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia
Editor: J. D'Angelo
Report Date: January, 2024
The 2021 Sassicaia is a truly monumental wine and clearly amongst the most compelling releases I have ever tasted. As this begins to unwind in the glass it quickly becomes evident that this is a special wine. The aromatics are nothing short of breathtaking, showing beautifully perfumed nuances of dark cherries, dark plums and sweet red berries that are followed by spices, fresh florals, sweet tobacco, gravel and hints of licorice all taking shape in the glass. On the palate this is incredibly detailed, refined and polished, as it displays stunning finesse and purity. The overall balance and structure is simply magnificent, as it continues to impress with excellent precision and nuance all the way through the beautiful vivid finish. The 2021 already displays immediate allure and beauty, however at this early stage it still only offers a glimpse of what is ultimately to come for this thrilling wine. This is a sensational vintage of Sassicaia that is built for the ages.

Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy 2021
Tasted By: James Button (at London, 06 Feb 2024)
Part of: Bolgheri 2021: Overview of a milestone vintage and top-scorers
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2064
Points: 99
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Brand: Sassicaia
Vintage: 2021
Wine Type: Still
Colour: Red
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Appellation: Bolgheri
Sweetness: Dry
Closure: Cork
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 15% Cabernet Franc, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon
In 2021, 'we had a nicely paced harvest... surely a very fortunate vintage for us, for Bolgheri,' said Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta at the launch in London of the 2021 vintage of Sassicaia. Welcome rain in mid-August came at just the right time to save the harvest, and production ended up being slightly higher than in 2020. Around eight to 10 separate vinifications were made, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and spontaneous malo. The wines were racked to second- and third-use barriques in December 2021, then racked into a mixture of new and used barriques in March 2022. The last step was to make the final blend in stainless tanks, where the wine underwent micro-oxygenation before bottling and further maturation in bottle. Rich dark fruit and herb aromatics are pockmarked by blueberry and petrichor, leading into an intense and vertical palate that's super-fresh with a delightful breezy, saline character. Textured, integrated tannins emphasise the refinement of Sassicaia, showing just a touch of youthful dustiness. Tangy, bright black, blue and red berry fruits overlay underlying hints of dark chocolate and forest undergrowth in a remarkably precise fashion, with pomegranate and a stony minerality surfacing on the mid-palate. 2021 demonstrates lovely sapidity of fruit along with that characteristic freshness and lightness of step, finishing long and poised. Superb. 99-100.

Score: 99
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Year: 2021    
Designation: Sassicaia    
Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia
Tasting Note: The gorgeous 2021 Sassicaia stuns with its class, extreme elegance, energy and depth. It's remarkably fragrant, featuring enticing aromas of cassis, cedar blue flower, exotic spice and a whiff of sea breeze. The delicious palate is focused and loaded with finesse, delivering ripe raspberry, black currant, blood orange, star anise a hint of coffee bean accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity gives it racy tension and provides impeccable balance and serious aging potential. 
Drink: 2029-2041
Abv: 14.00%
Reviewed By: Kerin O'Keefe
Tasted: January 2024
Grape: Red Blend

2021 Sassicaia
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Place of Origin: Italy, Bolgheri, Maremma, Tuscany
Color: Red
Grape/Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Rating: 98+
Drinking Window: 2029 - 2051
From: 2024 Tuscany Preview (Feb 2024)
The 2021 Sassicaia is one of the best young Sassicaias I can remember tasting, certainly on par with anything in recent memory. The preference here is picking on the earlier side relative to many neighboring properties, which is one of the reasons Sassicaia is always a wine of refinement more than opulence. At the same time, Sassicaia can be light. Not in 2021. All the elements came together during a long growing season to produce a rich, deep wine that marries textural intensity with classicism. Dark cherry/plum fruit, spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and spice all race across the palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural intensity and sheer power. The 2021 is one of the most concentrated Sassicaias on record. That allowed for long macerations, as long as 20 days for some Cabernets. Aging was [...] in French oak barrels [...], 40% new, 40% once-used barrels and 20% in twice-used barrels. One of the recent developments here is some batonnage in aging, which is used to build texture. That approach worked well in 2021. In a word: magnificent.
By: Antonio Gallon on February 2024

Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2021
Score: 98
Price: $300
Wine Type and Color: Red Still
Reviewed By: Bruce Sanderson
Accolades: Collectible
Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Secondary Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Issue: October 15, 2024
Region: Italy / Bolgheri-Sassicaia
Rich yet elegant, laced with black cherry, blackberry, cedar, mineral and oak spice aromas and flavors, this resonant red builds to a long, detailed aftertaste. Shows great balance, with vibrant acidity and refined tannins, yet this should benefit from a few more years of aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045.

Tenuta San Guido 2021 Sassicaia Red (Bolgheri Sassicaia)
From: Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy
Rating: 98
Winery: Tenuta San Guido
Region: Tuscany
Alcohol: 14.00%
Variety: Red Blends
Wine Type: Red
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Issue Date: 9/1/2024
Comforting and luxurious, if restrained at first, on the nose, like hot coffee with a slice of warm berry tart, then suddenly more serious, with aromas of leather-bound books and crisp fall air. The palate is utterly laden with berries but also vibrating with acid, and tannins feel like a silk textile, strong and supple, tightly stitched and flowing through an endless finish.
Reviewed By: Danielle Callegari

Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2021
Monday, August 12, 2024
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Vintage: 2021
Score: 98
Very classy and typical of Sassicaia with currant, tobacco, chocolate, sage and lavender on the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied with very integrated and refined tannins that are caressing and pretty with a lovely length and beauty. Such finesse and structure at the same time. Best in 2028 and beyond but already [sic] joy to taste.

Sassicaia 2021
Tenuta San Guido - Tuscany
Points: 97
Consistency: 32 - Balance: 33 - Integrity: 32
Type: Red
Category: Blend Bordolese
Tasting Date: 20-06-2024
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Cabernet Franc 15%
Volume of Bottle: 0,75 lt
Winery: Tenuta San Guido - C.I.T.A.I. Spa a socio unico
Region: Tuscany

San Guido, Sassicaia 2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia
Producer: San Guido
Cuvee: Sassicaia
Appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia
Region: Toscana
Country: Italy
Colour: Red
Alcohol: 14.00%
Score: 17++/20
When to Drink: 2027 - 2041
Published On: 29 May 2024
Date Tasted: 26 Apr 2024
Reviewer: Richard Hemming MW
Very finely tannic, and very compressed black fruit. Really too young to assess - this is like judging a flower from a seed. (RH)