At a glance

Producer

Tenuta San Guido

Region

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon (typically ~85%), Cabernet Franc (~15%)

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

Projected $300 - $400 USD (pre-arrival futures, final market pricing may vary)

Tasting profile

Focused, dense, primary fruit (blackcurrant, wild berries), graphite, cedar, dark florals, pronounced tannins, pronounced oak toast and spice (from extended French barrique aging).

Evolution: Will gain tobacco, sandalwood, leather, dried Mediterranean herbs, truffle, and complex tertiary notes with 10+ years. Textures will become silkier and aromatics more detailed.

At peak: At peak, Sassicaia shows a harmonious blend of dark fruit, forest floor, pencil lead, sweet spice, and savory earth. Grand wine of elegance and depth.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, contributing to longevity and freshness

Tannins

Firm, refined, moderately high (typical for Sassicaia in strong vintages)

Alcohol

Medium to medium-plus (usually 13.0-14.0%)

Aging potential

Exceptional; 25-30+ years from vintage in top cellaring conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2032 to 2044

Optimal window

2029 to 2044

Current status

Wine is in barrel or recently bottled; not yet released for general sale (as of mid-2024). Not ready to drink.

Current condition

Too young; will require several years after release to integrate and mature.

Sassicaia is one of the world's most age-worthy Cabernet-based wines. Great vintages easily reach 25-30 years. 2023 growing conditions in Bolgheri are provisional but promising, and Tenuta San Guido's track record means the wine will reward extended cellaring. Full expression emerges after a decade or more, with further evolution possible up to and beyond 2050 under ideal storage.

Food pairing

Best with high-quality beef (Fiorentina steak), roasted game, rack of lamb, aged Tuscan pecorino, wild boar, mushroom risotto, and classic Italian beef carpaccio.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2+ hours (youthful vintages); mature bottles (20+ years) should be decanted gently for sediment) — Young Sassicaia is tightly wound; aeration softens tannins and allows aromatics to develop. Avoid hyper-decanting older bottles.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Tenuta San Guido employs sustainable viticulture focusing on soil health, cover cropping, low chemical use, water conservation, and avoidance of synthetic herbicides and pesticides where possible. Vineyard management ensures biodiversity, but no organic/biodynamic certification. Standard glass bottles used; cork closures (renewable), no lightweight packaging.

Tenuta San Guido is a leader in sustainable Tuscan viticulture, though not driven by certification labels. The estate prioritizes long-term biodiversity, careful natural resource use, and low-impact farming. Glass bottle weight and long-distance export distribution elevate the carbon footprint. The overall sustainability score reflects substantial positive efforts but recognizes that premium, globally distributed wines struggle to match the lowest carbon/chemical footprints. No evidence of renewable energy on estate, but practices are in line with top-tier responsible European producers.