The 50th vintage of the Italian Super Tuscan, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, has been released in the UK. The new release, 2018, is being offered by the international trade at £1,800 per 12×75, a 5.9% increase from the 2017 release (£1,700).
Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate awarded the wine 97+ points, “with an emphasis on the plus sign to underline the future aging potential of this bottle.”
Larner found “the wine’s careful balance is achieved thanks to the nuanced character of fruit, the present acidity, the well-managed structure and the contained alcohol [13.5% ABV].”
Antonio Galloni of Vinous was equal in praise. He gave the wine 97 points, remarking, “Sassicaia is the most finessed of Bolgheri’s top wines. That is very much the case in 2018 as well. I loved it.”
James Suckling also awarded a score of 97. He noted, “the 2017 and 2016 were about power, but the 2018 is about finesse and subtlety.” He assigned a drinking window which starts after 2024.
“The 2018 vintage confirms how the number eight brings good luck to Tenuta San Guido,” said General Manager Carlo Paoli. “The 2018 vintage shows a consistent link to 2008, 1998, 1988 and, of course, the 1968 vintage that marks Sassicaia’s debut on the market.
Using the Wine Advocate, our Fair Value tool demonstrates a 90.5% price to score correlation. Today’s release suggests a discount of 10% to fair value. This said, we have already seen secondary market activity – it last traded at £1,947 per 12×75.
For followers of Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate, the similarly scored 2013 looks to offer value.
