Four bottles of Sassicaia
Produced by Tenuta San Guido
1990 vintage
Bolgheri, Tuscany/Italy
Original filling quantity: 0.75 l
Fill level: into neck
Robert Parker (1994): 94/100
Wine Spectator (1996): 93/100

This lot comprises four bottles of 1990 vintage Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri.

Bolgheri is a small town in the Maremma, the southern part of Tuscany, which gained recognition for its role in the revival of Italian premium red wine. Historically, the wine-growing country is hardly steeped in heritage, especially when compared to Chianti, however pioneer vintners triggered a new era of Italian premium winegrowing here at the end of the 1960s. Wines including Tignanello, Sassicaia and Orenellaia were produced by members of Tuscan wine dynasty Antinoir in Bolgheri. These wines were not like traditional Sangiovese regarding taste and structure, but rather characteristic of French types, such as Merlot, Cabernet and, later, Syrah. They were therefore initially only allowed to be marketed as Vini da Tavola. However, these wines were more than just fashionable, they established a new notion of taste and style for Tuscan red wine. Their immense success led to them being recognized as DOC wines during the 1990s. Their style of winegrowing was also innovative – they used barriques, small wooden oak barrels, which was not usual for Tuscany. The best of these Super Tuscans have proved to be of stable value and long-lasting.

1990 was a truly great vintage in Tuscany, with hot weather and a small harvest – ideal conditions for top wines. The wines are intensive, long-lasting and at the peak of their maturity.

The 1990 vintage Sassicaia was rated 94 points by Robert Parker in 1994. It was rated 94 points in Wine Spectator magazine in 1996.

The fill levels are excellent (into neck). The labels are slightly soiled. The capsules are in perfect condition.