In the glass
Aroma: cassis, graphite, violet, Mediterranean herbs
Palate: blackcurrant, iron, sweet cedar, salinity
The founding Super Tuscan: a Bordeaux blend planted at Bolgheri in 1944 by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Granted its own single-estate DOC in 1994.
What it pairs with
-
Bistecca alla fiorentina
Find bistecca alla fiorentina on TableJourney →
Cabernet weight and graphite mineral handle the T-bone. -
Rib of beef, dry-aged
Find rib of beef, dry-aged on TableJourney →
Dry-aged beef umami meets Sassicaia's cedar. -
Hard mountain cheese with truffle honey
Sweet umami amplifies the wine's depth.
How to serve Sassicaia
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Bistecca alla fiorentina, Rib of beef, dry-aged, Hard mountain cheese with truffle honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet cuttings from Chateau Lafite at Bolgheri in 1944. First commercial release of Sassicaia 1968 vintage. Granted its own Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in 1994.
- 1944 — Mario Incisa plants Bordeaux cuttings at San Guido
- 1968 — First commercial vintage of Sassicaia released
- 1994 — Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC created for the single estate
Facts
- Producer
- Tenuta San Guido
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (15%)
- Classification
- Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC (single-estate DOC)
- Oak
- 24 months in French oak barriques, around one third new
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 250 to 500 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1968
Scores
- Wine Advocate 100 (1985 vintage, reviewed 1992)
Frequently asked about Sassicaia
What does Sassicaia taste like?
On the nose, cassis, graphite, violet, Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, blackcurrant, iron, sweet cedar, salinity. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The founding Super Tuscan: a Bordeaux blend planted at Bolgheri in 1944 by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Granted its own single-estate DOC in 1994.
When should I drink Sassicaia?
Drink 10 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Sassicaia?
Bistecca alla fiorentina is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Rib of beef, dry-aged and Hard mountain cheese with truffle honey. Cabernet weight and graphite mineral handle the T-bone.
What grapes are in Sassicaia?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (15%). The wine is classified as Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC (single-estate DOC).