Sassicaia 2023 Tenuta San Guido

"Very few vintages of this legendary Tuscan wine deliver the immediate joy, richness and complexity found in the Tenuta San Guido 2023 Bolgheri Sassicaia. [...] Aromas unfold with wild sage, rosemary and dark fruit before moving into crushed stone minerality, rose petal and a finely spiced spectrum of pink peppercorn, nutmeg, anise, cardamom, bergamot and blood orange, joined by a delicate note of mentuccia romana, sweeter and gentler than classic mint. The palate shows beautiful softness framed by chalky tannins and mineral tension. Its acidity shines bright and guarantees long cellar aging potential. The wine remains fluid and flexible in the glass as different facets of the bouquet emerge. Like the legendary 1985, 2023 was a difficult and stressful vintage shaped by a cold winter, yet it stands as proof that great pressure can indeed give birth to diamonds." 100 Points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

The 2023 vintage was marked by a balanced climate, with frequent and well-distributed rainfall throughout spring and early summer, ensuring an adequate water supply in the soils. The preceding autumn recorded temperatures above the seasonal average, while the winter - generally mild - saw its coldest period between late December and mid-February. Budbreak occurred regularly after March 20. Persistent rains during flowering and fruit set led to a moderate reduction in yields yet favoured well-shaped clusters with lower berry density. Summer brought no unusual conditions; July’s high temperatures were mitigated by water reserves and ventilation, supported by targeted canopy protection measures. August alternated warm phases with Atlantic origin rainfall, slowing technical ripening to the benefit of phenolic development.