Three bottles of Sassicaia, 1998 vintage; Robert Parker (2001): 90/100; James Suckling (2001): 95/100
Three bottles of Sassicaia, 1999 vintage; Robert Parker (2002): 88/100; James Suckling (2002): 92/100
Produced by Tenuta San Guide
Bolgheri, Tuscany/Italy
Original filling quantity: 0.75 l
Fill level: into neck

This lot comprises six bottles of Sassicaia produced by Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, three bottles each of the 1998 and 1999 vintages.

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.

1998 was a variable vintage due to a hot summer and much rain during the harvest. 1999 on the other hand was an excellent vintage in Tuscany producing artful, racy wines.

The 1998 vintage Sassicaia was rated 90 points by Robert Parker in 2001. The most recent rating the wine was given on Parker’s website however is 94+ points from an “Executive Wine Seminar”. The 1999 vintage Sassicaia was rated 88 points by Robert Parker in 2002 and 92 points by James Suckling in the same year.

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

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.