Sassicaia (Winemaking, Taste, Best Wines 2024)
What makes Sassicaia wine so sought-after, and which are the best bottles you can buy in 2024?
This prestigious Italian red wine has a fascinating history behind it and is crafted with consistently high quality year after year.
With its exceptional taste, finesse, and investment potential there’s little wonder that wine enthusiasts fall head over heels for this iconic Bordeaux-style Super Tuscan!
Let’s discover everything about Sassicaia wine, including its history, taste, and the best bottles to buy in 2024. We’ll also cover the easiest way to invest in the most sought-after Sassicaia bottles and other fine wines.
Further reading
- Want to invest in some of the finest wines in the world? Check out this Detailed Article To Learn Everything About Wine Investment.
- Dive into the world of Italian Wines or try some of the Best Grenache Bottles.
What is Sassicaia?
Sassicaia is the flagship wine produced by winemaker Tenuta San Guido in the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in Toscana, Italy.
This one-of-a-kind Super Tuscan wine is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Cabernet Franc grapes. Sassicaia is often compared to the classic French wines Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. (In the 1980s, the term “Super Tuscan” was coined to refer to the Sassicaia, Tignanello, and the Ornellaia wines made in Tuscany.)
The wine house produces about 180,000 bottles of Sassicaia annually.
What does Sassicaia mean?
Sassicaia can be translated as a “stony field.” The name is inspired by the rocky terrain on which the vineyards are planted, giving the wine its refined texture and elegant taste.
Tenuta San Guido produces a second wine Guidalberto (a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes) and a third wine Le Difese (made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grape varieties).
So, that’s the story behind Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia wine?
A Brief History of Sassicaia Wine
The Sassicaia wine began with the vision of the Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta who wanted to recreate the high-quality Bordeaux wine style in his home country - Italy.
In the 1940s Rocchetta and his wife Clarice della Gherardesca moved to the Tenuta San Guido estate in Bolgheri, Tuscany.
In 1948 he started producing Cabernet Sauvignon wine, which was quite different from the modern Sassicaia wine and was solely used for private consumption. This red wine wasn’t well-received by wine critics and lovers.
In 1968, his son Nicolo and nephew Piero Antorini convinced him to start producing his wine commercially. That’s when Rocchetta decided to invite the oenologist Giacomo Tachis to help him improve his wine and successfully replicate the fine Bordeaux wines of France.
The first commercial release of Sassicaia in 1968 became an instant hit - and this kicked off the iconic “Super Tuscan” era.
In 1978, the Sassicaia wine from the 1972 vintage competed against 33 other wines in a blind tasting competition for the “Greatest Clarets” and effortlessly won first place.
In the past, the wine was classified as Vino da Tavola (table wine), but many thought that its superior quality deserved a higher status. That’s why in 1992, Sassicaia was given the higher IGT classification. And later on, in 1994, it was granted its own appellation - DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia.
Until now, Sassicaia is the only Italian wine with the privilege of having its own DOC.
Also read: Meanwhile mix up a refreshing Mimosa or a colorful Sangria before you dive into the details of how Sassicaia wine is made!
So, what’s the winemaking process of this famous Tuscan wine?
How is Sassicaia Wine Made?
The Sassicaia vineyards are planted at an altitude of 400 meters, facing east on Castiglioncello di Bolgheri’s hills. The region’s gravel soil allows the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines to thrive and produce superior quality grapes.
The grapes are harvested right before they reach complete ripeness, making the wine aromatic and elegant.
The primary and secondary fermentation (malolactic fermentation) of the grape must with natural yeasts lasts for two weeks and is conducted at 28-30 °C in stainless steel tanks.
After that, the fermented wine is moved to French oak barriques, where it ages for at least 24 months. Tenuta San Guido started using the French oak barrique aging method in 1977, which significantly increased the wine’s quality. This broke the tradition of using the more common large oak vats and Slovenian oak barrels that couldn’t achieve the same balance and quality.
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Sassicaia Taste and Food Pairings
The Sassicaia wine has a typical ruby red color and velvety tannins complemented by spice flavors and black currant aromas. It’s juicy with a taste of black fruit and a hint of mint freshness on the palate.
This makes Sassicaia the perfect wine to go with rich meaty dishes of roasted lamb, braised meats, pasta bolognese, or risotto with creamy sauce.
To enhance the wine’s qualities, decant for 1-2 hours before serving.
Also read: Want white wine? Look out for these exotic Rieslings and Sauvignon Blanc bottles. Also try out these Pouilly Fuisse wines and Pinot Blanc bottles.
More Interesting Facts About Sassicaia Wine
Here are a few more colorful stories from the wine’s past:
1. A Non-Traditional Wine from Non-Traditional Grapes
The vintner Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted his first vineyard with the Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1944. That’s when he established himself as an unconventional winemaker.
Before that, most Italian wines were made using Sangiovese or Nebbiolo. Rocchetta was the first one to make Bordeaux-style wines with outstanding quality in Italy.
Read more: Check out these amazing Rose wines perfect for drinking and for wine gifting!
2. A Favorite of Many Celebrities
Sassicaia is loved by many, including some celebrities like Rihanna, Duran Duran, and the Obama family. Even athletes like Lebron James and David Beckham cannot resist a glass of this velvety, juicy drink.
3. One of the Most Counterfeited Wines in the World
Due to its popularity and high price, Sassicaia is often a target of counterfeiters. About 700 cases of fake Sassicaia bottles (filled with a lower-quality Sicilian wine) from the vintages from 2010 to 2015 were produced every month. The bottles were exported to Russia, Hong Kong, and China.
Now let’s see the best Sassicaia vintages you can buy in 2024.
The Best Sassicaia Vintages to Buy in 2024
Here are our favourites:
1. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1967
This is the last vintage of Sassicaia before the wine went commercial. It is a true gem for the collection of any wine enthusiast.
The wine has a distinct baked plum taste and blackberry aroma that combine well with the fine-grained tannins and silky texture.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1967: $6,709
2. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1968
That’s the first vintage to be commercially produced - rare and hard to find nowadays. The wine has a spiced blueberry flavor followed by a spice aroma and toned down acidity and tannin levels.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1968: $2,759
3. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1975
This great wine has a lovely deep color and an amazing silky texture that overpowers your senses. Every sip brings a subtle aroma of tar, red fruit, and dried plum, followed by a distinct black cherry flavor and a subtle herbaceous finish.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1975: $747
4. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1982
This fabulous vintage has developed a lighter brick-red color and a seductive but gentle nose of oak, leather, and smoke. It is bold and intense with flavors of licorice, black currant, and a hint of minerality on the palate.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1982: $433
5. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1990
This fascinating wine has a distinctive juicy marasca cherry flavor accompanied by subtle aromas of vanilla, oak, and exotic spice. This Sassicaia is exceptionally well-aged with a creamy texture and balanced acidity.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1990: $466
6. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1996
This vintage comes in limited numbers due to the rainy weather in 1996, but it is an excellent Sassicaia example. The overpowering floral aromas are combined with violet and wild herb flavors, berry jam notes, and a pleasant mint linger at the end.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 1996: $326
7. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2001
An excellent vintage with the classical blackberry and creme de cassis flavors, well-defined structure, and silky finish. The dominant aromas of cinnamon, smoke, and vanilla combine well with the subtle hints of cream and oak.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2001: $356
8. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2007
This classic Sassicaia wine from the hot vintage of 2007 has a velvety structure and intense fruity notes. On the palate, it has a distinctive taste of plum, cherry, and blackberry, followed by zesty minerality and herbaceous finish.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2007: $311
9. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri Vertical Collection 2011
This excellent wine has an intense ruby red color and is an explosion of rich black fruit aromas. It has a delicious taste of blueberry and cherry combined with cedar and tobacco hints.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri Vertical Collection 2011: $2,661
10. Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2016
This exceptional Sassicaia wine from Tenuta San Guido has distinct flavors of juicy cherry, roasted herbs, and crisp minerality undertones. The high acidity increases the aging potential of this wine.
Price of Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 2016: $358
Should You Invest in Sassicaia Wines?
The Super Tuscans, including Sassicaia, are highly sought-after investment wines and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future!
Sassicaia wines can be enjoyed both young and aged. Typically, a bottle of fine Sassicaia ages for about 10-20 years but some of the best vintages can last well over two decades.
It enjoys good price appreciation and is a favorite at auctions.
A case of 1985 Sassicaia was sold for $18,375 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2015. This vintage was released in Italy at 18,000 Lire ($12 in today's money) and is now priced at around $2,530 per bottle - much higher than other vintages that average $228.
The 2015 Sassicaia (named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator) has increased in value by 42% in just three years.
So, how can you buy a bottle of Sassicaia without worrying about its authenticity or going through the hassles of buying, storing, and shipping bottles?
Luckily, you can get the most collectible Sassicaia and other investment-grade wines easily through Vinovest.
Buy Sassicaia and Other Fine Wines Through Vinovest
Vinovest is an online wine investment platform that helps you buy, store, and sell wines from around the world - be it a Sassicaia, a Pomerol wine, or a Chateau Lafite - hassle free.
How it Works
It’s easy. You just have to:
- Sign up
- Fill out a quick questionnaire so Vinovest can determine your risk appetite and investment preferences.
- Add a minimum of $1,000 to your account.
- Start building your wine investment portfolio and watch it grow.
Benefits
Vinovest comes with lots of benefits like:
1. Buy and Sell Wines with Ease
Vinovest’s AI-based platform lets you buy and sell fine wine from all over the world with just a few clicks - all in the comfort of your home while you sip a Champagne cocktail, say a Kir Royale!
2. Best Prices
Vinovest sources all its wines directly from wine exchanges, merchants, and winemakers, so you get the benefit of buying them at wholesale prices.
3. Curated Portfolio by an Expert Wine Advisory Team
With Vinovest, you don’t have to be a wine expert to build a winning wine portfolio. A master team of Sommeliers and data scientists will curate your portfolio with the help of quantitative investment models.
4. Optimal Storage and Safety
Your wines are stored in bonded warehouses close to the most famous wine regions in the world. Vinovest keeps your wines safely at the optimal light, temperature, humidity, and vibration levels 24/7.
5. Low Overall Costs
Vinovest charges a lower fee than most other wine investment companies - a total of 2.5% annually (and 1.9% for portfolios over $50,000). This fee covers your wine storage, insurance, portfolio management, selling, and buying of wine.
6. Tax Advantages
Because your wines are stored in bonded warehouses, you’re not charged any excise duty or VAT, so you get significant tax advantages.
7. Easy Delivery
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Ready to Build an Impressive Wine Collection?
Its importance in the Italian wine industry renaissance, unique history, and mesmerizing taste profile makes Sassicaia highly desirable among wine collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Investing in a bottle of a rare Italian red wine like Sassicaia and building an impressive wine portfolio is simpler than ever today - thanks to Vinovest.
So, sign up and start exploring the fascinating world of investment wines now!
