2008 Sassicaia

Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc

Italy / Tuscany / Bolgheri / DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia

$385
RP 97
V 96
Size:
Quantity:

2008 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: D.O.C. Bolgheri Sassicaia

First vintage: 1968

Grape blend: 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon 15 % Cabernet Franc

Soil composition: The vineyards are planted on plots of land with different and composite morphological characteristics, as well as with a strong presence of limestone. These areas are also rich in rocks and rather rich in clay and are located at an altitudebetween 100 and 300 meters above sea level, facing West - South/West.

Vine training: Cordon spur system

Planting density: Between 3.600 to 5.500 vine stocks/Ha for older vineyards and 6.200 vine stocks/Ha for newer vineyards.

Climate: The 2008 sassicaia winter season was relatively mild and not particularly rainy except for some sporadic rainfall during the month of January; the temperatures fell around the middle of March, remaining below the seasonal average for around three weeks. This meant that plant growth was delayed by about 10 days compared to normal, having repercussions on the subsequent phenological phases (blossoming and veraison). Spring was very sunny but from 10th to 20th May, which corresponds to the blossoming period, there was frequent rain and a considerable drop in the temperature. This lead to low yield with few bunches of grapes on each plant and an overall lower production that has been certified at around 20% less than normal. After the May showers the summer season was fairly settled, apart an unusually hot period (about 2 weeks) between the end of August and the first 15 days of September. The course of ripening was standard for all the varieties however the grape harvest periods were very close together.

Harvest: Given the propitious climatic conditions, the harvest was carried out as usual and without any particular adjustments, beginning in the first ten days of September and ending during the first week of October.

Wine making: The primary fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats at a temperature of 30° - 31° C. The maceration of the skins lasted 15 days for both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc, with a combination of pumping over and délestage. The malolactic or secondary fermentation also took place in the steel vats.

Ageing: The wine is aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and a few more months in the bottle before being released on the market.

2008 Sassicaia 
2008 Sassicaia

RP 97

Robert Parker 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. Reviewed by Monica Larner. Issue date: April 28, 2017. Drinking window: 2017-2035.
V 96

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. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, August 2011. Drinking window: 2018 - 2038.

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SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

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We ship within the United States to: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 97

Robert Parker 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. Reviewed by Monica Larner. Issue date: April 28, 2017. Drinking window: 2017-2035.
V 96

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. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, August 2011. Drinking window: 2018 - 2038.

2008 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Appellation: D.O.C. Bolgheri Sassicaia

First vintage: 1968

Grape blend: 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon 15 % Cabernet Franc

Soil composition: The vineyards are planted on plots of land with different and composite morphological characteristics, as well as with a strong presence of limestone. These areas are also rich in rocks and rather rich in clay and are located at an altitudebetween 100 and 300 meters above sea level, facing West - South/West.

Vine training: Cordon spur system

Planting density: Between 3.600 to 5.500 vine stocks/Ha for older vineyards and 6.200 vine stocks/Ha for newer vineyards.

Climate: The 2008 sassicaia winter season was relatively mild and not particularly rainy except for some sporadic rainfall during the month of January; the temperatures fell around the middle of March, remaining below the seasonal average for around three weeks. This meant that plant growth was delayed by about 10 days compared to normal, having repercussions on the subsequent phenological phases (blossoming and veraison). Spring was very sunny but from 10th to 20th May, which corresponds to the blossoming period, there was frequent rain and a considerable drop in the temperature. This lead to low yield with few bunches of grapes on each plant and an overall lower production that has been certified at around 20% less than normal. After the May showers the summer season was fairly settled, apart an unusually hot period (about 2 weeks) between the end of August and the first 15 days of September. The course of ripening was standard for all the varieties however the grape harvest periods were very close together.

Harvest: Given the propitious climatic conditions, the harvest was carried out as usual and without any particular adjustments, beginning in the first ten days of September and ending during the first week of October.

Wine making: The primary fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats at a temperature of 30° - 31° C. The maceration of the skins lasted 15 days for both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc, with a combination of pumping over and délestage. The malolactic or secondary fermentation also took place in the steel vats.

Ageing: The wine is aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and a few more months in the bottle before being released on the market.

2008 Sassicaia 
2008 Sassicaia

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