40 years on, today's Sassicaia is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc – a wine that truly expresses the terroir and emphasizes finesse and elegance, most recognizable by its richness of berry, cassis and minty character, fine-grained tannins and velvety texture. The special terroir at the Tenuta San Guido estate has earned the estate its own DOC* (“DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia”), a far cry from its Vino da Tavola (table wine) status in 1968. Serena Sutcliffe MW and David Peppercorn MW referred to Sassicaia as “Italy’s answer to Bordeaux”.
The success of Sassicaia in 1978 has drawn the envy of the fine wine world and has inspired the emergence of a number of Super-Tuscan names, including Tignanello, Solaia, Ornellaia, Trinoro and the great Masseto. At a Sassicaia tasting held in March 2010, Jancis Robinson MW wrote of the legendary 1985 vintage which got 100 points from Robert Parker: “Lived up to all the hype… So sweet! A truly exceptional wine… Really gorgeous and still very vigorous. So much still to come!” This exceptional wine currently comes with a hefty price tag of US$ 22,500+/£14,000+ for a case of 12 bottles. Jancis also commented on the 1975 vintage: “So racy, just perfect now! This has lasted magnificently – much better than most red Bordeaux!” The 1982 Sassicaia did not pale in comparison with its counterparts in Bordeaux for this great vintage – it was “a great rendition of this special wine…great vivacity! Bravo!” said Jancis.
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