TENUTA SAN GUIDO 'Sassicaia' - Bolgheri, Tuscany 1999 Bottle (MV*)

Description

Sassicaia 1999 offers 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 add depth. The wine’s refined layers and lingering finish make it a stunning example of a well-aged Italian red. A harmonious, complex choice that embodies the winery’s signature finesse and a true reflection of Tuscany’s finest craftsmanship. Drink: Now

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.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 89 points
Drink Date: 2017 - 2024
"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."