Jess

9.2

Medium ruby color.
Aromas of black cherry
Dry. Flavors of black cherry, black olive, peppercorn. Medium, smooth tannins. Savory with rich fruit.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5 — 8 months ago

Paul T HB

9.5

If Sassicia is 💯 points for 2016 you had to figure their other wine was good as well, give it another 5-10 years without any issues. 2016 was a great year over-there. This at $45 or 2016 Sassicaia at $400.00 if you didn’t buy at $175.00 early
Wine Advocate 94+ review as follows,

This wine is showing exceptionally well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Guidalberto (Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller percentage of Merlot) opens to a full and generous bouquet and a beautifully rich and velvety appearance. This edition of Tenuta San Guido's mid-level wine offers a bigger aromatic profile, more texture and more volume as well. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, leather and sweet fruit at the end. The mouthfeel is elegantly shaped, silky and nuanced. This may well be the best vintage of Guidalberto I have yet to taste—and you can get this wine at a great price too.
Just south of Livorno, Tuscany, lies the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, and the Tenuta San Guido estate, where Sassicia is produced. The estate was originally owned by Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, and has been managed since WWII by his son, Niccolo. A true pioneer in the Italian wine industry, his experimenting with the introduction of non-native varieties to Italy, resulted in the world-famous Sassicaia. In Italian, Sassicaia means "the place of many stones" and is used as the proprietary name for the estate's Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The vines of the Sassicaia vineyard were originally planted with cuttings from the prestigious Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. The wines of Sassicaia were so instrumental in creating the "Super-Tuscan" sensation that 1994, the Italian government granted Sassicaia its own DOC status in a sub-zone of the Bolgheri DOC. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and the wines are then aged in French oak barrique for 18 to 24 months prior to release. Sassicaia produces a second label called Guidalberto and recently released a third wine, Le Difese, that is virtually unavailable in the U.S.
— 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — a year ago

Youngcheul Kim

9.1

#various flavor #flesh — 5 years ago

Jodi M

9.0

Dark colour, black fruit notes, delightfully smooth. — 6 years ago

Blue Dee

9.2

This is actually the regular wine, not the dry. It’s lovely!!! — 6 years ago

Ming L

9.1

At age 9, this shows remarkably young. Aromatic and refreshing on the nose, with lime, Asian pear, shishito pepper, and fresh cut grass - no tropical fruits I usually associate with Kiwi SB. Flavors echo the nose. Sharp acidity with round edge. Light salty minerals on the long finish.
The Cash Block is named after the owner, whose last name is Register, of the vineyard the grapes sourced from. — 2 years ago

Pip Davie

9.0

Warm smooth delicious! Great with garlic & rosemary lamb — 4 years ago

Richard Turner

9.8

Fab. Buttery Chardonnay. — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

Ever consistent. Once the disrupter in the beer scene, a pioneer of the craft movement. Now ubiquitous. Hoppy, floral, slightly better but rounded contours. Can't go wrong. — 6 years ago