Sassicaia 2013 | Cult Wines Offer

Estate Overview

Sassicaia was one of the first Italian reds made in the image of fine red Bordeaux, with the first small commercial vintages being released in the mid-1970s. In 1994 it became the first Italian estate to have its own DOC (having been a vino da tavola) and effectively transformed Bolgheri into an exciting and dynamic fine wine region. Never less than sensational, Sassicaia is one of the world's great wines and is an extraordinarily elegant expression blend of Tenuta San Guido's finest Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) and Cabernet Franc (15%).

With a terroir similar to that of Graves, with gravelly topsoil and loam, the grand vin of Tenuta San Guido is quite reminiscent of Left-Bank Bordeaux on first meeting. Many critics have likened its style to that of the top-quality Margaux estates, though with a fresh and balanced citrus acidity on the finish that reveals its Italian origin.

When Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a state visit to Washington, D.C. last April, he packed a few bottles for the trip. He selected four wines to share with President Barack Obama. According to media reports one of which was Sassicaia (the 2011 vintage).

Tasting Notes

"Tasted from barrel, the exciting 2013 Bolgheri Sassicaia is shaping up to be an epic rendition of this celebrated wine. You get a clear sense of the quality of fruit with your first twirl of the glass. Even at this young stage, the wine shows impressive intensity and elegance. It boasts dark fruit nuances with bold cherry and blackberry that will gain focus and traction with time. Oak notes of vanilla and cinnamon are beginning to show their first signs of mellow integration. This was a cool but classic vintage that saw enhanced aromas, acidity and all the qualities that lead to healthy longevity. The 2013 vintage promises greatness."

Monica Larner | Wine Advocate | June 2015

Investment Analysis

While most of Europe struggled in 2013, Tuscany excelled, a cool spring lowered yields, while a cool summer ripened the grapes slowly and autumn followed suit allowing the grape growers to pick ripe and balanced fruit.

The 2013's scores places it in the realm of great Sassicaia, akin to 2010, 2006, 1990 and some dare whisper 1985! The table below focusses on the current release price of the 2013 and the price disparity between older vintages. Although more expensive than the previous two vintages, the increase in score merits the slightly higher release price. At this stage this is certainly not a position we are recommending for those with a short term mind-set, the real value and investment merit is in the comparable vintages from 2008 backwards, in essence focussing on a 5 - 10 year investment term.

What is immediately obvious from the table above is that this is a wine with a very active secondary market for vintages inside their drinking window. Focussing on the number of cases listed, the cases available for vintages pre 2010 drops off significantly, which can be attributed to a number of factors. The most obvious would be drinking windows. Looking at 2010,11,12,13 all of which need several more years in bottle, resulting in larger volume of stock available on the market. If we look at 2009 vintage however, this entered its drinking window mid-2015 and has since seen a 12.4% increase in price since August 2015 with currently only 39 cases listed globally.

Having analysed the current price disparity, the table below looks at several comparable back vintages and outlines the performance they have shown over the past 10 years.

*Figures taken from Jan 2006 to date

The graph below taken directly from Liv-Ex is the 10 year performance graph for the 2001 vintage.

Top 10 Italian brands traded in 2015 YTD (sorted by value share).

*Figures accurate as of 22nd November 2015

Summary

5 - 10 year hold - 100% growth expected in this term.
Potentially best scoring vintage since 1985 (£8,500 per 6).
Sassicaia was the most traded wine by volume in 2015.
Super Tuscan exposure a key component to a well-diversified portfolio.
Most sought after wine from Italy.
2013 awarded high scores from Galloni, Suckling and Wine Advocate.