Tenuta San Guido 2022 Sassicaia

Description

98 James Suckling Rating
Plenty of red currant cedar iron and terra cotta aromas follow through to a medium to full body with graphite sandalwood red currants and fresh Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and rosemary. The tannins are chewy but polished in texture. This is a Sassicaia that needs three or four years of bottle age to come together and soften. A structured wine for the cellar. Try after 2029.

97 Decanter Rating
The wine is tightly coiled and concentrated. It feels almost cinched at the waist with a fascinating tension between the weight of raspberry blackberry and strawberry coulis fruit and the wine’s verticality as if it’s trying to burst out. Lovely mid-palate sapidity is allied to fresh acidity and fine but dense tannins making for a dark horse of a Sassicaia that isn’t giving much away today but will greatly reward those who can cellar it for 12 years and more. ‘What is sure is that 2022 will need a lot of time but will also have a long life’ said Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta. A hot vintage 2022 caused the team to work in the newly completed refrigerated warehouses in San Guido even moving the sorting table inside. Shorter macerations and 23 rather than the more typical 24 or 25 months of ageing in wood helped to maximise the freshness.

97 Jeb Dunnuck Rating
The 2022 Sassicaia is a deeper youthful magenta/red color with a slightly deeper aromatic profile of rosemary gravelly earth sage mossy earth and fresh black cherries. The palate has slightly broader shoulders but remains elegant. It has more plushness on the mid-palate while its acidity shines through with the finish. It will need several years to shed its baby fat and show its full potential. Drink 2028-2058.

95 Wine & Spirits Rating
A bit shy aromatically this red exhibits black currant black cherry blackberry tobacco and sweet spice flavors with a hint of eucalyptus. Concentrated offering assertive tannins that take hold as this evolves to the finish. Though closed and compact at this stage overall this is balanced fresh and long. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2045.—B.S.

98 International Wine Report Rating
Joe D’Angelo International Wine Review: “The 2022 Sassicaia is simply brilliant in this vintage showing a remarkable level of poise and freshness. It opens with a captivating bouquet of ripe blackberries plum florals and subtle herbs underscored by a touch of spice tobacco and minerals. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied and well-structured with velvety tannins and a lively acidity that provides perfect balance. Rich flavors of red/dark fruits tobacco and spices unfold beautifully leading to a long persistent finish that is both refined and elegant. A stunning example of Sassicaia’s pedigree and resilience to thrive year after year…” 02/25

94 Vinepair Magazine Rating
The 2022 Sassicaia is a very pretty expressive wine. There’s a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon (and less Franc) in this year’s blend and that really comes through in the wine’s flavor profile and slightly bruising tannins. Dark cherry plum leather licorice graphite and incense give the 2022 striking aromatic presence to match its rather brooding personality. There’s a bit of tension in the tannins that needs time to resolve. Yields were down about 20% because of intensely cold weather in spring variable conditions during flowering and set and then searing heat and drought throughout the summer. – By Antonio Galloni on February 2025 Tenuta San Guido fared quite well in 2022 considering several episodes that created significant challenges. Severe cold weather approaching frost levels in April was a shock to vineyards in the plains and impacted potential yields. Rain and cold winds during flowering and set resulted in loose clusters further lowering yields. Torrid heat arrived in July and August but appeared to have minimal impact largely because vines were carrying reduced crops. Rain in mid-August followed by lower temperatures helped restore some balance. Harvest took place over a condensed period of 26 days 8-9 fewer than normal. In the cellar Estate Director Carlo Paoli and his team gave the 2022 lots anywhere from 14 days on the skins for the more delicate fruit to 18-22 days for the best parcels. Paoli opted for minimal délestages but with more pumpovers. The wine spent six months in neutral oak after which 40% new barrels were introduced. Total time in oak was 23 months.