Tenuta San Guido : Sassicaia 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Sassicaia 2023 from Tenuta San Guido

Tasting

Appearance

With fabulous brilliance, this wine reveals a ruby red color with cherry highlights.

Nose

Initially subtle, the aromatic bouquet opens with floral notes of lavender and violet, intertwined with hints of tobacco leaf and fresh earth. It then reveals a rich blend of red and black fruits, enhanced by delicate undertones of undergrowth.

Palate

The attack is vibrant and approachable, revealing lovely generosity. The structure is supported by finely textured chalky tannins and a limestone-driven mineral backbone. The palate unfolds flavors of tangy red cherry, redcurrant, and plum, all elevated by a crystalline acidity that leads to a particularly mouthwatering finish.

Food and wine pairings

This great wine pairs beautifully with structured dishes and complex sauces, such as reductions or brown stocks. It will enhance game meats such as wild boar stew, guinea fowl, or duck, as well as roasted veal or pork flavored with Mediterranean herbs. It also pairs perfectly with characterful aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Sassicaia 2023 is a wine built for aging. It can be fully appreciated from 2028 and offers aging potential extending to around 2045, or even beyond for lovers of mature vintages.

The mineral elegance of a great Bolgheri wine by Tenuta San Guido

The estate

Located in Tuscany, in the heart of the Bolgheri appellation, Tenuta San Guido is a mythical estate spanning 2,500 hectares. While the property’s history is longstanding, the creation of its pioneering vineyard dates back to 1944 under the impetus of Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Now led by Alessandro Berlingieri, this institution revolutionized Italian viticulture by initiating the “Super Tuscans” movement. A true globally recognized prestige brand, the estate stands out for its commitment to biodiversity and the production of wines of exceptional elegance.

The vineyard

The vines dedicated to this wine thrive within the production area of Bolgheri, at altitudes ranging from 100 to 400 meters. Benefiting from western and southwestern exposures, the vineyard enjoys an ideal maritime microclimate, with cooling breezes and significant temperature variations. The soils, of great geological complexity, consist of limestone areas rich in galestro, pebbles, stones, and partially clayey sectors, giving the grapes a unique minerality.

The vintage

The 2023 season proved overall balanced despite climatic challenges. After a mild winter, spring and early summer were marked by frequent rainfall, replenishing water reserves but encouraging downy mildew pressure, requiring rigorous sorting and reducing yields. Budbreak began at the end of March. Rainfall during flowering resulted in airy clusters with lower berry density. In August, alternating warm periods and Atlantic rains slowed ripening, promoting excellent phenolic development through to the manual harvest, which took place from early September to early October.

Winemaking and aging

After meticulous berry selection, the alcoholic fermentation of Sassicaia 2023 took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (28 to 29 °C), exclusively using indigenous yeasts selected by the estate. Maceration, marked by frequent pump-overs with aeration, enabled balanced extraction and the development of refined tannins. Malolactic fermentation finished spontaneously at the end of October. The wine was then transferred to barrels for 24 months of aging in oak (40% new, 40% once-used, and 20% twice-used), followed by three to six months of bottle aging.

Grape varieties

87% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc.