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Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2008

Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends from Tuscany, Italy
DE 98
WA 97
TWI 97
WE 97
JS 97
AG 96
PRE-ARRIVAL
Item # 311019

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$375.00

750ml
Pre-arrival (ETA: Aug 2024) 12+ Available
 
98 points Decanter: "Dense, intense chocolate and damson colour. On the nose things are still very closed despite its age. Although the palate is heading to the splitting point where the tertiary aromatics and flavours are making their appearance, though they’re held back by the primary vibrant blackberry fruits and a seam of Sassicaia freshness, with a bite of liquorice root. After a moment in the glass, the nose starts to open. Undergrowth notes are most clear at first, followed by black truffles. This is slowly opening up, taking time and patience. A clearly great vintage, and one that has many years ahead of it. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 13.5%. (Oct 2016)"

97 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a wine without a winemaker. The last vintage made by Giacomo Tachis was 2007 and incoming enologist Graziana Grassini claims 2009 as her first vintage. Within the context of this retrospective, the 2008 vintage opens a new chapter, because it is the first wine to show evident tertiary definition and complexity. In fact, the wine performs beautifully with an exalted performance and ethereal aromas. They include cassis, wild berry, crushed mineral, licorice, petrol and grilled herb. This wine is really coming together now and is entering a very exciting moment in its drinking life. It boasts finesse, elegance and grace. Yet, it also shows unmistakable richness and structure that gives the wine an enormous presence in terms of mouthfeel. This was one of the top highlights of the retrospective. Drink: 2017-2035. (Apr 2017)"

97 points Susan Hulme (The Wine Independent): "For Tenuta San Guido, "2008 was a beautiful year. Hot but not dry and not too hot," comments Carlo Paoli, general manager and head of winemaking. This 2008 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia is still tight and youthful, and it is just starting to develop a garnet rim. The aromas were slow to reveal themselves but after 30 minutes, some notes of juniper, "macchia mediterranea", mint, and sweet tobacco appear. The texture is sublimely soft, round, and velvety - not heavy, but melting - with lots of juicy, vibrant acidity. With this vintage, the tannins continue in their refinement. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2035. (12/1/22)"

97 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$220 list] Recently implemented winemaker and cellar changes make this one of the best Sassicaias ever. This Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend delivers thick concentration and sun-kissed aromas of black fruit, prune, dried bay leaf, black olive and tobacco. The thick, fertile soils that characterize the magical strip of coastal Tuscany at Bol-gheri help shape amazing richness and intensity. (Feb 2012)"

97 points James Suckling: "This is the best young Sassicaia in years. It's the new 1988, which was great, and sometimes better than the legendary 1985. What incredible aromas here with blueberries, spices, licorice, plums. Graphite too. Subtle and complex. Full and silky with a beautiful texture of fine tannins and an ultra-fine finish. So beautiful now but will be much better in 2015. Owner Niccolo Incisa della Rocchetta says that Sassicaia is always great in years that end with eight: 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008. (6/12/16)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2008 Sassicaia is a rich, deep wine imbued with notable class in its black cherries, plums, grilled herbs, minerals and smoke. The 2008 is a decidedly buttoned-up, firm Sassicaia that is currently holding back much of its potential, unlike the 2006 and 2007, both of which were far more obvious wines. Readers who can afford to wait will be treated to a sublime wine once this settles down in bottle. Muscular, firm tannins frame the exquisite finish in this dark, implosive Sassicaia. The 2008 Sassicaia is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 24 months in French oak barrels. Drink: 2018-2038. (Aug 2011)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "Refined and elegant, this is right in step with the reserve of the vintage. Blackberry, plum, cassis and mineral flavors play out with subtle oak spice notes on the finish, where this flexes some muscle. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2014 through 2025. (10/15/11)"
** This item is offered on Pre-arrival and is subject to the terms of our Pre-Arrival Policy **
98 points Decanter: "Dense, intense chocolate and damson colour. On the nose things are still very closed despite its age. Although the palate is heading to the splitting point where the tertiary aromatics and flavours are making their appearance, though they’re held back by the primary vibrant blackberry fruits and a seam of Sassicaia freshness, with a bite of liquorice root. After a moment in the glass, the nose starts to open. Undergrowth notes are most clear at first, followed by black truffles. This is slowly opening up, taking time and patience. A clearly great vintage, and one that has many years ahead of it. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 13.5%. (Oct 2016)"

97 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a wine without a winemaker. The last vintage made by Giacomo Tachis was 2007 and incoming enologist Graziana Grassini claims 2009 as her first vintage. Within the context of this retrospective, the 2008 vintage opens a new chapter, because it is the first wine to show evident tertiary definition and complexity. In fact, the wine performs beautifully with an exalted performance and ethereal aromas. They include cassis, wild berry, crushed mineral, licorice, petrol and grilled herb. This wine is really coming together now and is entering a very exciting moment in its drinking life. It boasts finesse, elegance and grace. Yet, it also shows unmistakable richness and structure that gives the wine an enormous presence in terms of mouthfeel. This was one of the top highlights of the retrospective. Drink: 2017-2035. (Apr 2017)"

97 points Susan Hulme (The Wine Independent): "For Tenuta San Guido, "2008 was a beautiful year. Hot but not dry and not too hot," comments Carlo Paoli, general manager and head of winemaking. This 2008 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia is still tight and youthful, and it is just starting to develop a garnet rim. The aromas were slow to reveal themselves but after 30 minutes, some notes of juniper, "macchia mediterranea", mint, and sweet tobacco appear. The texture is sublimely soft, round, and velvety - not heavy, but melting - with lots of juicy, vibrant acidity. With this vintage, the tannins continue in their refinement. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2035. (12/1/22)"

97 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$220 list] Recently implemented winemaker and cellar changes make this one of the best Sassicaias ever. This Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend delivers thick concentration and sun-kissed aromas of black fruit, prune, dried bay leaf, black olive and tobacco. The thick, fertile soils that characterize the magical strip of coastal Tuscany at Bol-gheri help shape amazing richness and intensity. (Feb 2012)"

97 points James Suckling: "This is the best young Sassicaia in years. It's the new 1988, which was great, and sometimes better than the legendary 1985. What incredible aromas here with blueberries, spices, licorice, plums. Graphite too. Subtle and complex. Full and silky with a beautiful texture of fine tannins and an ultra-fine finish. So beautiful now but will be much better in 2015. Owner Niccolo Incisa della Rocchetta says that Sassicaia is always great in years that end with eight: 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008. (6/12/16)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2008 Sassicaia is a rich, deep wine imbued with notable class in its black cherries, plums, grilled herbs, minerals and smoke. The 2008 is a decidedly buttoned-up, firm Sassicaia that is currently holding back much of its potential, unlike the 2006 and 2007, both of which were far more obvious wines. Readers who can afford to wait will be treated to a sublime wine once this settles down in bottle. Muscular, firm tannins frame the exquisite finish in this dark, implosive Sassicaia. The 2008 Sassicaia is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 24 months in French oak barrels. Drink: 2018-2038. (Aug 2011)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "Refined and elegant, this is right in step with the reserve of the vintage. Blackberry, plum, cassis and mineral flavors play out with subtle oak spice notes on the finish, where this flexes some muscle. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2014 through 2025. (10/15/11)"
Product SKU 311019
Producer Tenuta San Guido
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Varietal Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends
Designation Super Tuscan
Vintage 2008
Size 750ml
Color Red
Blend 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
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