Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri produced Sassicaia 2021 of perfect quality as you will read in my tasting notes below. Since the 2015 vintage, not a single vintage has been wrong and all the vintages have been at the highest levels even in more difficult years. In recent years, the estate has reduced production by vinifying only the best grapes. Less wine but of great quality.
Before describing the wine it seems necessary to say something about the vintage.
The lands from which the Sassicaia grapes come are included in the territorial delimitation of the D.O.C. Bolgheri Sassicaia.
The vineyards are located in different areas, some limestone rich in marl, others with stones and stones and others also partially clayey. The vineyards are located at altitude ranging from 100 to 300 meters above sea level, with west/south-west exposure. The training system is spurred cordon. The planting density ranges from 3600 vines/ha to 5550 vines/ha.
2021 was also a good year in terms of climate trends.
Autumn had mild temperatures and occasional rain. At the end of October temperatures dropped, reaching -3/-4°C at night with frequent rain.
In mid-December temperatures rose again and in mid-January they dropped again.
In mid-February, daytime temperatures reached a maximum of 7-10°C, reaching -5 and -7°C at night. At the end of February they gradually increased. March had sunny days even if a little chilly. April started with mild temperatures, but from the middle of the month temperatures dropped again, approaching “0”. Even in May there was an alternation of sun and rain. From the end of May temperatures rose above normal and a dry heat arrived which lasted until mid-July. After July 13th temperatures dropped again. Since mid-August temperatures have returned to normal with cooler temperatures at night.
The grapes showed a perfect balance between technical maturity and phenolic maturity.
The alcohol levels were slightly higher but were well countered by a’excellent freshness and flavor of the musts.
Let’s now move on to describing the wines tasted.
Regarding the width of the tannin, it is important to make the following clarifications so that it can be understood. I feel the tannin of the wine on the upper gum. The total width of the tannin is 6/6, i.e. the entire width of the upper gum. Obviously, if the tannin is less broad, it could be for example 5/6 and so on. The width of the tannin is important when the quality of the tannin is of good or high level. The larger the tannin, the more the wine is worthy of attention, but the tannin, as I have specified, must, in any case, be of good quality.
TENUTA SAN GUIDO
Bolgheri Sassicaia, 2021 vintage
(grape variety: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc)
Ruby red and transparent purple color.
The olfactory casket opens to very intense aromas of clean sea water (internal white part of the watermelon peel), black pepper, nutmeg, lavender soap (Atkinson), mint, eucalyptus, sage, bay leaves, small liquorice grains, earth wet, jute, sweets from the outside of the candy, blackberry, plum, blond Virginia tobacco, natural tea, starch (spray starch for ironing), bergamot, to finish with light woodsy whiffs that remind me of the “After” chocolate eight” (mint and dark chocolate). This year, new woods were used in greater quantities.
On the palate it has medium body, nice acidity and flavors of juicy blackberry and plum. Perfectly balanced wine with alcoholic mass completely overcome by freshness and tannins. The latter are sweet, completely 6/6 wide and silky. Its gustatory persistence is very long with a finish still with the same juicy fruit and a very final touch of after eight which in my opinion, with the wine remaining in the bottle, will be lost. For the structure, 2021 is positioned between that of 2015 (100/100) and that of 2016 (100/100 and lode). 2021 great wine. Another great success for this wonderful wine. (100/100)
