Bottle Presentation A distinct, elegant cream-coloured label featuring the winery’s iconic emblem. The gold font elevates the bottle’s (and winery’s) presentation. Appearance Clear, medium garnet Nose Clean, medium-plus nose, with blackberry, dark plums, dark cherries, savoury spice, eucalyptus, anise, vanilla, tobacco, and a tinge of spaghetti sauce. We’d consider this a developing wine given the emerging tertiary notes. Palate Dry, medium-plus bodied, high acidity, medium-plus tannins, and medium, well-integrated alcohol. Medium-plus intensity, with sour dark cherries, blackberry, semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, charred wood, eucalyptus, vanilla, and green tea. Finish An enduring, enjoyable finish, with lingering eucalyptus and green tea notes. Overall Impressions A beautiful offering from an exceptional producer. We had been looking forward to pouring this wine since we purchased it in 2016, and now that we’ve done so, we’re left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is an incredible red blend that shone in so many ways. On the other hand, we’re disappointed we don’t have another bottle in the cellar (at least from the same vintage) to enjoy in a few years. This is an outstanding wine that ticks all the boxes for balance, length, intensity, and complexity. It is drinking beautifully now, though it could be cellared for many years to come. As with most of our best reds, we poured it with grilled steak, and the pairing was engaging and highly satisfying. Saying that, we could easily enjoy this red on its own, as it continued to open throughout the night. In fact, we found it was better later, on its own, after it had more time to open up. We’ve had some excellent reds in the past year, including a Château Latour and an Artemis from Stag’s Leap. In our opinion, the Sassicaia was the pick of the lot, which speaks for itself. Ratings Overall Rating: 98/10 E-Wine rating: 5/5. Purchasing a case extends a little beyond our means, but if we had the funds on hand, we’d be more than happy to do so. Value: 5/5. Although expensive, it is hard to imagine another wine that would top this offering regardless of price, which, in our book, makes it an excellent value for the experience (or the money).

Wine Review – 2013 Sassicaia

by

An amazing Bordeaux blend from one of Italy’s smallest, yet best regions, at least in our opinion.

Name: Sassicaia

Vintage: 2013

Producer: Tenuta San Guido

Region/Country:  Bolgheri, Italy

Grape Varietal(s): 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc

Alcohol Level: 13.5% abv

Consumed: At home

Recommended By: Purchased from the SAQ.

Cost: $287.23 CAD, purchased in 2016.

2013 Sassicaia bottle with a decanter on its left in which the wine is poured.

Bottle Presentation

A distinct, elegant cream-coloured label featuring the winery’s iconic emblem. The gold font elevates the bottle’s (and winery’s) presentation.

Appearance

Clear, medium garnet

Nose

Clean, medium-plus nose, with blackberry, dark plums, dark cherries, savoury spice, eucalyptus, anise, vanilla, tobacco, and a tinge of spaghetti sauce. We’d consider this a developing wine given the emerging tertiary notes.

Palate

Dry, medium-plus bodied, high acidity, medium-plus tannins, and medium, well-integrated alcohol. Medium-plus intensity, with sour dark cherries, blackberry, semi-sweet chocolate, cedar, charred wood, eucalyptus, vanilla, and green tea.

Finish

An enduring, enjoyable finish, with lingering eucalyptus and green tea notes.

Overall Impressions

A beautiful offering from an exceptional producer. We had been looking forward to pouring this wine since we purchased it in 2016, and now that we’ve done so, we’re left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is an incredible red blend that shone in so many ways. On the other hand, we’re disappointed we don’t have another bottle in the cellar (at least from the same vintage) to enjoy in a few years.

This is an outstanding wine that ticks all the boxes for balance, length, intensity, and complexity. It is drinking beautifully now, though it could be cellared for many years to come. As with most of our best reds, we poured it with grilled steak, and the pairing was engaging and highly satisfying. Saying that, we could easily enjoy this red on its own, as it continued to open throughout the night. In fact, we found it was better later, on its own, after it had more time to open up.

We’ve had some excellent reds in the past year, including a Château Latour and an Artemis from Stag’s Leap. In our opinion, the Sassicaia was the pick of the lot, which speaks for itself.

Ratings

Overall Rating: 98/10

E-Wine rating: 5/5. Purchasing a case extends a little beyond our means, but if we had the funds on hand, we’d be more than happy to do so.

Value: 5/5. Although expensive, it is hard to imagine another wine that would top this offering regardless of price, which, in our book, makes it an excellent value for the experience (or the money).

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