1996 Sassicaia
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Tasting notes
Here's a little gem from Tenuta San Guido that has never been reviewed in Robert Parker Wine Advocate (except informally by me one year ago in a Hedonist's Gazette). I have consistently found the 1996 Bolgheri Sassicaia to be an impressive wine on the few occasions I have had to taste it. This is one of those rare underrated vintages that bring so much delight and surprise in an important retrospective such as this. As I recall from my informal tasting, this Sassicaia shows a heavy dose of Cabernet Sauvignon typicity but without the astringent medicinal tone or unripe greenness you might expect. Instead, it delivers a bright but balanced, tonic verve that is driven by the wine's natural acidity. I had previously paired this wine with an oversized bistecca alla fiorentina t-bone steak and the marriage was perfect. This was a difficult vintage in Bolgheri, but the results in the bottle suggest otherwise.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Again very little sign of ageing in the colour. Distinctive slightly medicinal nose. Herbal but also dark cherries and olives and elegant on the nose. Dry tannins perhaps just starting to take the upper hand. But there’s also dark cherry fruit on the palate and a fresh, surprisingly fluid finish with that fresh acidity even with the dryness of the tannins in the mid palate. (JH)
Mid crimson, slightly pale rim. Just 12.5% alcohol. Fragrant, light nose. Sweet start and then quite a bit of acidity, tannins very fine. Lean, ballet dancer of a wine. Very appetising and old fashioned. Neat finish. (JR)
Very slightly grey. Bit of a smudgy nose. Lots of acidity. Round and flattering. Smooth texture, but not absolute concentration. Slightly short. A bit sweet and sickly on the nose. (JR)
About the producer
Tentuta San Guido produces Sassicaia – Italy’s most famous wine. An icon from the Bolgheri coastline of Tuscany, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, its rise to prominence in the late 1970s sparked the Super Tuscan revolution.