2022 Tenuta San Guido - Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC Sassicaia (750ml)

Sassicaia began in 1944 as a private experiment by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who noticed a striking resemblance between the gravelly, stony soils of his Bolgheri estate and those of Bordeaux's Graves region. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc cuttings sourced from a friend's property near Pisa, producing a wine reserved solely for family and close friends until its first commercial release in 1968. The wine's reputation grew steadily, and it remains the only Italian wine with its own dedicated DOC, produced exclusively within Tenuta San Guido under the guidance of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, now led by the third generation.

The 2022 comes from vineyards planted between 100 and 400 meters with a west-southwest exposure, on soils that mix limestone rich galestro with stones and pebbles alongside partially clayey ground, the source of the wine's name. A hot, dry growing season was balanced by Bolgheri's moderating coastal microclimate, and the team responded with an earlier harvest and shorter macerations to preserve freshness, followed by aging in wood for a slightly reduced period compared to typical vintages.

The wine shows a deep, youthful color with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, tilled earth, and Mediterranean herbs, layered with cedar, graphite, and a touch of mint. The palate is tightly wound and structured, with fine, dense tannins and vibrant acidity carrying through to a long, mineral driven finish. This is a wine built for the cellar, best paired with grilled steak, roasted lamb, or a rich beef braise.