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Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2006 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Appellation: D.O.C. Bolgheri Sassicaia
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 altitude between 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: Cold and rainy winter months caused a delay in budding that warm spring days were unable to recover. This phenomenon, due to temperature excursions, induced irregular flowering which lasted for a long time, bringing full bloom in the first week of June. The usual vigour of sprouts accompanied a good productivity even in younger vines that was artfully set by a thinning of the smaller clusters, a synonimous of vegetative- productive balance. the summer, which was almost without rain, fortunately was never accompanied by excessive temperatures and this trend allowed the vines to develop a good aromatic potential. The grapes we were presented with at the beginning of the harvest were perfect: concentrated and uniformly ripe.
Harvest: Early in the harvest rain slowed the picking but the subsequent re-establishment of good weather allowed the continuation of a slow harvest that had a positive effect on polyphenols and anthocyanins. 2006 Sassicaia
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 stored in French oak barrels for 24 months. Before being marketed, the wine is aged for a further 6 months in glass.