TENUTA SAN GUIDO 'Sassicaia' - Bolgheri, Tuscany 1999 Bottle

Description

The 1999 Sassicaia presents a beautifully evolved profile with rich aromas of blackberries, cherries, and hints of spice and tobacco. Its velvety tannins and balanced acidity provide elegance and structure, while subtle notes of cedar and dark chocolate enhance depth. James Suckling rated it 98 points, noting its intense layers of dark fruit and cedar, advising a two-hour decant before serving. Decanter awarded it 94 points, highlighting its fresh acidity and lingering fine tannins, calling it sprightly and alive despite its age. Vinous scored it 91 points, describing sultry blackberry aromas complemented by earthy flavors and a pliant finish. Jancis Robinson rated it 18 points for its complexity and mouthwatering freshness, capturing Sassicaia's hallmark quality.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 98 points
I just drank this in Zurich today and it is clearly the best Sassicaia since 1988, and it gets better and better in the bottle. It really does remind me of the awesome 1988, which can be better than the legendary 1985. The 1998 shows so many layers of dark fruit, cedar and terra cotta on the nose. It's intense and powerful; stony with sweet tobacco and berry undertones plus currants and sultanas. It's full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and great depth. It's not completely open yet. Decant two hours in advance before serving.

DECANTER 94 points
1999 was a warm vintage and a very hot summer throughout Tuscany, but it was not as hot as 2005 or 2003. There was no rain in spring and summer, so the harvest was earlier than usual, starting in August and ending mid-September. The 1999 Sassicaia was undervalued a little when it first appeared on the market, and it was only appreciated later. This was because it came after vintages like 1996, 1997 and 1998 which were all excellent. Today this wine still looks sprightly and alive. There are aromas of sweet grass, hay, spice, and the fresh leather notes of a mature wine, but the nose is not oxidative or tertiary. There is a spine of fresh acidity giving vibrancy and lingering, fine, grainy tannins. This wine has aged very gracefully. It is mature and drinking now.

VINOUS 91 points
Saturated dark ruby. Sultry aroma of crushed blackberry complicated by a whiff of cinnamon. Layers of earthy, mouthfilling blackberry flavor are supported by gauzy tannins and a welcome core of acidity, followed by white pepper and graphite on the pliant finish. Supple and elegant.

JANCIS ROBINSON 18 points
Deep garnet and very little sign of age in the colour. Some cedary freshness and a touch of old polished furniture. Dark cherry and still has some cassis. Very slight touch of coffee. Rich, smooth chocolate texture but it lightens up to a refined finish. Still has great balance and length and finishes with that mouthwatering freshness that is, for me, Sassicaia’s hallmark. Lots of complexity. (JH)