Sassicaia 2006
Tax included.
Winery: Tenuta San Guido
Vintage: 2006
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Drinking window: 2020 - 2040
Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany
Production: 150.000 bottles
THE ITALIAN GRAPE (98)
The 2006 vintage of Sassicaia is a true testament to the aging potential and elegance this Bolgheri icon can deliver. Compared to 2008, the 2006 shows more power and depth, with darker fruit tones, a firmer structure, and remarkable complexity. Notes of blackcurrant, leather, cedar, and dried herbs unfold gradually, supported by silky yet persistent tannins that give this wine incredible backbone.
ROBERT PARKER (97)
The 2006 Sassicaia may very well go down as one of the all-time great recent vintages for this Tuscan thoroughbred. The year started off very warm but by August evening temperatures had moderated, leaving the fruit with a stunning combination of ripeness, perfume, acidity and tannin. The wine is simply glorious, that’s all there is to it. Layers of dark fruit meld into smoke, leather, violets, menthol, earthiness and tar as this profound wine opens up in the glass. The creamy, silky finish lasts an eternity, as waves of fruit caress the tannins with breathtaking elegance. Everything is in the right place in this magical Sassicaia. This is one for the ages. In a word: Awesome. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2031. This is a superb set of releases from Tenuta San Guido, the estate that put Maremma on the map as a terroir for world-class wine.
About the wine
Sassicaia's journey began in 1945 when its first batch was bottled, but it didn't taste quite like it does today. Mario Incisa, the man behind Sassicaia, spent several years experimenting with different techniques to improve the wine's flavor. Eventually, he realized he needed the help of an expert oenologist. Turning to his relatives, the Antinori family, Mario sought out Giacomo Tachis, an experienced oenologist. Together, Mario and Giacomo decided to try something new: using Bordeaux grapes and applying modern winemaking methods to Sassicaia's production.
Their collaboration bore fruit in 1968 when they released Sassicaia's first commercial batch. It wasn't long before their efforts garnered international recognition. In 1972, at a blind tasting competition hosted by Decanter Magazine, Sassicaia outshone 33 wines from 11 different countries to claim its first major award. This success marked a turning point for Sassicaia, propelling it onto the global stage as a wine of exceptional quality. The name "Sassicaia" itself holds significance, derived from the stony soil ("sassi" in Italian) where the grapes are grown.
The 2006 vintage was shaped by a cold and rainy winter, which delayed bud break — a setback that the warmer spring days couldn’t fully reverse. These temperature fluctuations caused an irregular and extended flowering period, with full bloom only arriving in the first week of June. Nevertheless, the vines displayed their typical vigour and strong productivity. The summer of 2006 was notably dry, though temperatures remained moderate and never extreme. This allowed the vines to slowly develop excellent aromatic complexity. By the time the harvest began, the grapes showed outstanding concentration and even ripeness. The 2006 vintage stands out as one marked by elegance, balance, and exceptional aging capacity.
