1999 Sassicaia
By Tenuta San Guido
1999 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido
The 1999 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido bravely upholds its reputation as one of Italy’s most noteworthy contributions to the world of fine wines. Embracing the vivacious energy of the Bolgheri terroir, an area renowned for the piquancy of its Cabernet Sauvignon, this revered Super Tuscan deftly manages to captivate the spirit and character inherent in this particularly fruitful millennial year.
Classic notes land with an innovative twist
Famously a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this vintage offers more than merely its regional typicity. The 1999 Sassicaia artfully weaves rich, emboldened layers together, with juicy black cherries, ripe plums and distilled essence of cassis shining through its complex tapestry. An intriguing hint of dried Mediterranean herbs add a finishing touch, impelling us to dive into the beguiling depth of this legendary red.
A vintage echoing harmony
The growing season of 1999 was characterised by moderately warm days and cool nights, impeccable conditions for ripening these Bordeaux grape varieties. As a result, the vintage captures harmony in every sip – a balance between freshness and structure, fruit and sapidity intertwined masterfully. This is implicative of the tenacity of Tenuta San Guido to remain rooted in tradition while fervently exploring idiosyncrasies that certain vintages offer.
The essence of fine Italian wine investing
Just as every note emerges from a finely tuned orchestra in harmonic unison, so too does each layer unravel from the 1999 Sassicaia. Each glass serves as a testament to its longevity and complexity, making it an alluring choice for discerning investors in fine Italian wines. Tenuta San Guido has certainly orchestrated a blockbuster symphony from this vintage – one that is certainly worth savouring, enjoying, and most importantly, investing in.
If ever there was a wine that embodied the art of Italian viticulture and the promise of fruitful returns on wine investment, it would be the 1999 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido. Its timeless charm and distinct singularity are truly reflective of its maker's astute reverence for, and manipulation of, both vine and vintage.
Current market price
£4,040.00
12x75cl
Highest score
89
POP score
448.89
Scores and tasting notes
The 1999 Bolgheri Sassicaia steps forward with extra richness and darkness that sets a decisive tone. Compared to the neighboring vintages, this wine shows more succulence and textural thickness that is immediately apparent. It also reveals some heaviness and flatness that remind you of its age and its ongoing evolution. The bouquet delivers tones of dark fruit, black olive, cured meat and smoked tobacco. Reading between the lines, you are playfully reminded of the wine's important legacy and its territory-specific identity. But this vintage is more simplistic than the others. If you have a bottle, I wouldn't wait too much longer, although for now this wine is holding strong.
Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate, 28 April 2017