The Original Tuscan Icon: 100-Point 2021 Sassicaia In Stock

2021 San Guido "Sassicaia" Bolgheri ($299.99)

100 points Wine Advocate: "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. (ML)" (01/2024)

100 points Ian d'Agata - Terroir Sense: "To be clear, the 2021 Sassicaia is one of the best young wines at a similar stage of development the estate has made in years. It is a paragon of balance and freshness. What it lacks in the brute power of the memorable 2016, it makes up for with a ballerina-like gracefulness and a balance that is enchanting ... Bright, medium deep red-ruby. Fresh aromas of balsamic oils, then more minty eucalyptus, lavender and juniper complicate the lively, perfumed blackcurrant and mineral aromas on the enticing nose. Then extremely vibrant and lively, but boasting remarkable balance with a near-perfect fruit/tannin/acidity ratio and an inviting saline note that rises like the froth of waves smashing against the docks on a cold winter seaside morning. Very precise, penetrating flavours of red and dark berries, honey, coffee, toast and bergamot linger nicely on the extremely long, refreshing finish. This famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wine blend is undoubtedly rich and dense but has a vitality and a lift that is truly uncommon for the best red wines made with these two grape varieties. Deceptively easy to drink already now, this will age far better than most people I know." (01/2024)

100 points International Wine Review: "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. (JD)" (01/2024)

99-100 points Decanter: "'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 ... 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. (AB)" (02/2024)

99 points Kerin O'Keefe: "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." (01/2024)

98+ points Vinous: "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 25 months in French oak barrels (95% French, 5% a mix of Hungarian and Slavonian wood), 40% new, 40% once-used barrels and 20% in twice-used barrels. One of the recent developments here is some bâtonnage in aging, which is used to build texture. That approach worked well in 2021. In a word: magnificent. (AG)" (02/2024)

98 points James Suckling: "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 joy to taste." (02/2024)

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "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. (DC)" (09/2024)

98 points Wine Spectator: "Rich yet elegant, laced with black cherry, blackberry, cedar, mineral and oak spice aromas and flavors, this resonant red builds to the long, detailed aftertaste. Shows great balance, with vibrant acidity and refined tannins, yet this will benefit from a few more years of aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. (BS)" (06/2024)