Sassicaia 2013
Tax included.
Winery: Tenuta San Guido
Vintage: 2013
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Drinking window: 2016 - 2035
Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany
Production: 150.000 bottles
THE ITALIAN GRAPE (98)
The 2013 Sassicaia is one of those vintages every collector dreams of having. It is an exceptional year that has produced an exceptional wine, especially with a name like Sassicaia. This is a powerhouse, full of complexity. It is a beauty that still needs some time to fully come into its own—give it until at least 2030, and it will be a phenomenal celebration, where the wine will truly reveal its true character.
ROBERT PARKER (97)
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.
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 year was extraordinary in every sense. After a relatively mild start to winter, temperatures dropped significantly from late November to the end of January, with persistently cold and rainy days. Spring arrived later than usual, with frosts in April that delayed sprouting and naturally reduced production levels. The harvest, conducted entirely by hand, began in the first days of September with the Cabernet Franc grapes, which reached optimal phenolic ripeness early. This was followed by the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest in the first ten days of September and concluded with the grapes from the higher-altitude vineyards of Castiglioncello in Bolgheri at the end of September and into the first days of October. The grapes were healthy, perfectly ripened, and showed uniform veraison with no signs of millerandage, ensuring an exceptional harvest and the promise of an outstanding vintage.
