Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2016

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2016 is one of Italy’s most iconic wines and a benchmark for the Super Tuscan style. Produced in Bolgheri from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this exceptional vintage combines Mediterranean freshness, remarkable precision and powerful ageing potential. Awarded 100 points by both Decanter and Robert Parker, it is widely regarded as one of the finest Sassicaia releases of recent decades.

Tasting Notes
The wine displays a deep, concentrated ruby colour. Its highly refined bouquet opens gradually, revealing black cherry, blackberry, cassis and plum alongside cedar, tobacco, violet, blue flowers, licorice and delicate wild-herb notes. Hints of kiwi peel, hot stone and spice add a distinctive Mediterranean freshness, while the wine’s restrained character rewards patience in the glass. On the palate, Sassicaia 2016 is powerful yet beautifully composed, with intense dark fruit, savoury minerality and a subtle saline edge. Fresh acidity gives the wine impressive energy and definition, while polished but still firmly structured tannins provide a long, precise finish. It is enjoyable now with decanting, but remains youthful and will develop gracefully for several decades. Its ideal drinking window extends approximately from 2021 to 2050, with many bottles likely to mature further beyond that point.

Production
The grapes come from a mosaic of small parcels at Tenuta San Guido, both on the hillsides and on the lower land surrounding the estate. Bolgheri’s Mediterranean climate, cooling sea breezes and varied soils help preserve freshness in the Cabernet varieties while allowing them to reach full ripeness. After fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before being transferred in December to French oak barrels, approximately one-third of which are new. It matures for 24 months before the final blend and bottling.

Food & Serving
This structured red is an excellent match for prime grilled or roasted beef, lamb, venison and other game, as well as hearty dishes such as braised beef, wild boar ragù and mushroom-based preparations. Mature hard cheeses also complement its savoury depth. Serve at approximately 16–18°C. Decant for two to three hours when enjoying it young; older bottles should be decanted carefully, primarily to remove sediment, and handled with a gentler approach.

Producer
Tenuta San Guido was founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who began producing Cabernet-based wines in Bolgheri in the 1960s. Sassicaia gained international attention when the 1972 vintage triumphed at a celebrated blind tasting against leading Cabernet-based wines from Bordeaux, helping announce the arrival of Italy’s Super Tuscans. The wine was granted its own DOC, Bolgheri Sassicaia, in 1994 and was elevated to the highest level of Italian appellation recognition in 2013. Today, the estate’s Sassicaia programme is led by Sebastiano Rosa in close collaboration with winemaker Graziana Grassini, continuing the style established by the pioneering consultant Giacomo Tachis. A 12-bottle purchase is delivered in the original wooden case.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.