Tenuta San Guido   Sassicaia

2002 Sassicaia

By Tenuta San Guido

2002 Sassicaia by Tenuta San Guido, Italy

A connoisseurs' gem amongst 'Fine wines from Italy', the 2002 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido is an exquisitely balanced expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This vintage's distinct personality has been moulded by Italy's idiosyncratic climatic conditions of that year, setting it apart dramatically from its siblings.

 

Weathering the storm, crafting masterpieces

2002 was a challenging year for Italian vineyards, with an uncharacteristically wet summer. However, innovative wine producers like Tenuta San Guido utilized this peculiarity to their advantage. The resulting Sassicaia harbours an extraordinary freshness and vibrancy, a silver lining drawn from the clouds of that year.

True to its pedigree, the 2002 Sassicaia resounds with complex symphonies of dark berries, forest floor and subtly spicy undertones. Yet, there's a fascinating counterpoint: the unusual combination of moist vintage character and Sassicaia’s renowned grippy tannins create a hypnotizing dialogue between ruggedness and elegance.

 

An exceptional vintage for wine investment

The vintage appeals uniquely to astute investors in fine wines. This 2002 offering manifests Tenuta San Guido's inherent ability to coax profound expressions out of even the toughest of climatic conditions.

The perseverance that went into producing this vintage also resulted in a comparably lower quantity of bottles - hence enhancing its exclusivity and value for collectors. The 2002 Sassicaia is, therefore, more than just a bottle of wine; it’s an allegorical testament to how challenges can be transmuted into exceptional quality, which only stands to appreciate over time.

In conclusion, the 2002 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido is an extraordinary resilience saga bottled. A wine imbued with an intriguing climatic backstory, rapturous drinking pleasure, and an investment potential that only grows richer with time.

Market price (GBP)

£3,080.00

12x75cl

Highest score

88

POP score

385

Scores and tasting notes

88

Oddly enough, this is the first official review of the 2002 Bolgheri Sassicaia in Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Presumably, the wine was overlooked due to the infamy of this widely condemned vintage. However, all is not lost. The wine offers a rather subtle bouquet of dried fruit, autumnal leaf, forest floor, button mushroom, tar and balsam herb. The effect is flat and one dimensional. And, the finish lacks freshness and vigor. What's the upside you ask? The wine seems to have taken on a life of its own. At a plateau now, I don't think it will change much in the coming years. It's a weaker expression of Sassicaia for sure, but Sassicaia it is nonetheless.

Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate, 28 April 2017

Vintage performance