Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 1987

Drinking Window: 2004-2022

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon & 15% Cabernet Franc

Alc/Vol: 12.5%

Closure Type: Cork

Vintage Notes:

The weather was good, as were the temperatures.

Regular rainfall, though on the scarce side, was coupled with September and October whose weather well suited the needs of the vine. The grapes proved of good quality despite the high yields. In fact, we proceeded to the pruning of excess clusters also in early summer. Harvest: The harvest took about three weeks.

Winemaking:

The vinification and skin maceration lasted 13 days.

Temperature of fermentation was 27°-29° C.

Malolactic fermentation proved effortless, with full completion by December 15.

Ageing:

The wine was aged in barriques (made from Yugoslavian oak for 20% and French Oak for the remaining 80%) starting January 15th 1988, for 21 months. After which the wine was bottled.

Tenuta San Guido is much better known by the name of its most famous wine – Sassicaia. It is located in the Tuscan region of Maremma, and is has its own single-estate DOC appellation (Bolgheri Sassicaia) applied to its flagship label.

Sassicaia, one of the original Super Tuscan wines, is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. It is known for its supple texture, elegance and perfume.
The grapes that go into Sassicaia are picked just before they reach full ripeness, which contributes to finesse and fragrance as well as a lower alcohol levels. After two weeks' fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged for around 24 months in French oak barrels (around 20 percent of which are new).