A Star Was Born

Ivy Ng reports on the enduring legacy of Sassicaia

More recent collectible vintages for Sassicaia would include 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006.  Despite the challenges of following a highly acclaimed vintage, the 2007 vintage was nonetheless a stunning achievement.  Sebastiano Rosa, winemaker and Nicolò’s stepson, called it “one of the best vintages”. 

For a long time, the estate did not introduce a second wine. This changed in 2000 when Guidalberto, named after Guidalberto della Gheradesca who pioneered viticulture in the Bolgheri area in the early 18th Century, was launched.  The Sangiovese component in the earlier vintages was replaced with Merlot in 2005. Guidalberto is a genuine second wine of Sassicaia.  With a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, it is stylistically much closer to Sassicaia and provides a home for declassified Cabernet Sauvignon previously destined for Sassicaia. Guidalberto offers shades of the great wine, at a fraction of the cost and does not require extensive cellaring. Le Difese (70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese) is a very recent creation. Launched for the first time in the UK in 2009, Le Difese was sold out within weeks. With a much more approachable style, it is a wine best enjoyed when it is relatively young and vibrant.  For reference, 2008 Guidalberto’s opening offer price is £125 for 6 bottles and 2008 Le Difese’s opening price is £66 for 6 bottles, compared with £500 for 6 bottles of 2007 Sassicaia. All UK in bond prices.

Perhaps with the exception of Masseto and some legendary vintages of these iconic wines that have fetched extraordinary prices at auctions, Super Tuscans have not quite attracted the investment frenzy associated with first growth Bordeaux.  These are wines for connoisseurs and eclectic collectors.  I remain optimistic that their time will come but hopefully not so soon so that we can still own some of these ageworthy and extremely well-crafted iconic Italian creations at reasonably affordable prices. - IN

 

The wines of Tenuta San Guido are available from the exclusive UK agent, armit wines.  For details contact their HK office on +852 2251 8384 or email Ivy at:ing@armit.hk

 

*DOC = Denominazione di Origine Controllata, the Italian equivalent to the French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, a regulated quality wine classification

 

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Written by Ivy Ng

Click here to see the published article.

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