Sassicaia 2018 – Different Year, different Story

The Release of Sassicaia 2018

The timing could not have been better. Just before the Easter Holidays a year long wait came to end, when finally the new, and much anticipated vintage of Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia 2018 was released to the German market. – In the UK it has been available for the last 6 weeks -

Private customers with their deep cellars and wine trophies are going to increase their collections and verticals.

The trade is sharpening their pencils to establish another record margin for the tertiary market and the in recent months so much neglected Gastronomy, well, they stopped buying En Primeur a long time ago anyway.

As every year, the release of this, in my opinion most consistent Supertuscan, is a highlight of the year, just after the Bordeaux and Burgundy En Primeur campaign. But this year is truly special.

Not only is it a very classic vintage, cooler and fresher than 2017 and 2019, as Priscilla Incisa della Rochetta – the granddaughter of the Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, describes it, it is also the 50th Vintage since her Grandfather released the first vintage in 1968, a true collectors item.

Sassicaia is sourced from 100ha Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, established in 1994. In 2018 the Blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.

With 30% less available for the German Market, it will be a sought after Vintage. This year's En Primeur campaign will see lots of happy and lucky faces, with the excitement to have secured a precious case.

We will as well experience the other side of the coin where those who had high hopes won’t be able to secure their usual allocation or those who try to get onto the Sassicaia list with no success. For those, all is left be added to the waiting list.

Having said that, it is certainly a good timing to get on the waiting list, as the 2019 vintage will be another vintage in very high demand.

The price is in my eyes is still in line compared to other wannabe Supertuscans with double the price tag. A mere 36% on the release price 2018 versus the 2016 vintage, which scored 100 Points by the Wine Advocate, is justifiable.

With the Sassicaia 2018, the Tenuta releases their other wines too, Guidalberto and Le Difese. Both wines from the excellent 2019 vintage which is not to be overlooked and missed out on. Guidalberto features a good portion of Merlot alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Le Difese is boosted with the rather rare for this area Sangiovese.

All wines are still available from Alpina and Gute Weine, but please hurry, the keen and fast might have been a little luckier this year.

Stay Safe

Your sincerely,

Tobias Brauweiler MS