Few wines have shaped the modern history of Italian wine quite like Sassicaia. Widely regarded as the original Super Tuscan, it remains one of the most sought-after and influential wines in the world, combining the structure and longevity of Bordeaux with the unmistakable character of coastal Tuscany. The 2023 vintage is particularly remarkable. Produced during a challenging growing season marked by heavy rainfall and significant disease pressure, it is a vintage defined by meticulous vineyard work and uncompromising fruit selection. The result is a wine of extraordinary purity, elegance and precision. Aromas of blackcurrant, wild blackberry and red cherry are layered with notes of lavender, tobacco leaf, graphite and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the wine feels remarkably refined, with vibrant acidity and chalky, finely textured tannins supporting a core of beautifully defined fruit. While already captivating, it remains a wine built for the long term, with layers of complexity that will continue to unfold over decades. This is Sassicaia at its most classical – poised, detailed and effortlessly sophisticated.
Sassicaia 2023: Producer
The story of Sassicaia begins in the 1940s when Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon on his family’s estate in Bolgheri, inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux. Initially produced only for family and friends, Sassicaia was commercially released with the 1968 vintage and quickly became one of Italy’s most important wines. Its success helped establish the Super Tuscan category and transformed the reputation of Bolgheri as a fine wine region. Today, Tenuta San Guido remains the only estate in Italy with its own dedicated appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, a reflection of its unique place in Italian wine history. Under the stewardship of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, the estate continues to produce wines that combine tradition, innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Sassicaia 2023: Vintage
Sassicaia 2023: Winemaking
The vineyards are located on the rolling hills of Bolgheri, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are planted on a mosaic of limestone, marl, clay and gravel-rich soils, with the abundance of stones giving Sassicaia its name. The 2023 growing season proved exceptionally demanding, with above-average rainfall and severe mildew pressure requiring ruthless fruit selection that reduced yields by around 20%. Only the healthiest fruit was retained. The final blend consists of approximately 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Cabernet Franc. Following fermentation, the wine was matured for around 23 months in French oak barriques, around 40% of which were new. The extended ageing allows the wine to gain complexity and refinement while preserving the freshness and precision that define the vintage.
Sassicaia 2023: In The Glass
Deep ruby in colour with bright cherry reflections. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and red cherry are layered with lavender, sweet spice, tobacco leaf, graphite and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is elegant and finely structured, showing remarkable purity of fruit, vibrant acidity, chalky tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish.
Sassicaia 2023: Awards
The Wine Advocate – 100/100
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