2020 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia vintage year details
The year 2020 was a special one for Tenuta San Guido. The autumn was damp with abundant rainfall occurring from mid-October and lasting until the end of December. Temperatures were quite mild and sometimes even above the seasonal average. In February, the intense cold has arrived, with temperatures dropping to almost 0°C. March started with strong sea winds and rain, but with mild temperatures that contributed to the enlargement of the buds, especially of the early varieties such as Merlot. At the end of March, a disturbance from Russia caused a clear drop in temperatures with northerly winds and even some frost at night. These weather conditions caused no damage to the Cabernet Sauvignon vines. April and May were mild with alternating sunny days and average seasonal temperatures. A somewhat unusual spring that caused no damage to the vines. After mid-June the climate recovered, with sunny and warm days lasting until harvest time, with the exception of some interruptions of precipitation in July and August. The ripening of the grapes took place about 7 to 8 days earlier than normal and the beautiful sunny days ensured that the grapes were fully ripe quickly. The grapes, although with a higher sugar content, arrived in the cellar healthy and of excellent quality.
Terroir of the Sassicaia
The soils have varied and complex characteristics with a strong presence of limestone, areas rich in marl and pebbles, and partly clay. They are located at an altitude between 100 and 400 meters above sea level, with a west, south-west orientation. The manual harvest started in the first week of September with the grapes from the younger vineyards, starting with the Cabernet Franc and then continued with the Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyards at lower altitudes, ending in the last week of September with those on the hills located more than 300 meters above sea level (Vigna di Castiglioncello and Vigna del Quercione).
Vinification
Selection of the grapes via a sorting table, to eliminate impurities and any presence of imperfections. Gentle pressing and destemming of the grapes, preserving the integrity of the berries and avoiding excessive transfer of tannins. The alcoholic fermentation (completely spontaneous and without the addition of external yeasts) was completed at the end of October and carried out regularly at controlled temperatures of up to 27-28 °C. Regular distillation and pumping over ensured excellent aromatic extraction and freshness in terms of acidity of the must. The malolactic fermentations took place in steel at the end of November. In the first week of December, after frequent decanting to clean the must, the wine was placed in oak barriques. At the end of malolactic fermentation, the wine was placed in barriques containing 45% new wood, 45% first passage and 10% second passage. Sassicaia 2020, after more than 25 months of aging in wood, was decanted into steel tanks before final blending and subsequent bottling. Then aged in the bottle before being put on the market.
Tasting notes of the Sassicaia
The highly perfumed Sassicaia opens quickly and gives a beautiful mix of forest floor, deep dark fruit, herbs, black tea and balsamic vinegar on the nose. The wine has a special freshness, texture and soft tannins. This Sassicaia is concentrated, spicy and energetic with a fine acidity. It consists of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest is Cabernet Franc. Now very attractive in a youthful and lively way, but this will only really show itself in 3 to 4 years.
FACT : The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will immediately see the possible discount if you choose Pickup in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking space. Click here for address.
