Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2016

Lobenberg: Sassicaia ist ein echter Genuss! Unglaublich seidiges Mundgefühl, etwas grüner Paprika, reife Pflaume, Zedernholz, eine Spur Tabak. Das alles in einem sexy Korsett, der Sassicaia bleibt enorm gebündelt und konzentriert am Gaumen. Sehr langer Nachhall, ordentlich Druck am Gaumen. 100/100

Robert Parker: The 2016 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a wine of soaring achievement. I tasted this wine several times during the course of its creation in both barrel and bottle, and the highly deserved 100-point score you see here was enthusiastically assigned at the conclusion of a mini vertical in which I tasted and compared the 2016 vintage against 2015 (which I scored 97 points). It makes perfect sense to present these two excellent vintages in back-to-back comparison fashion because they are two of the best to emerge from Bolgheri, and indeed Tenuta San Guido, in recent memory. These are very similar vintages with long, hot summer months that fueled a long growing season. There was a bit more rain in 2016, and in analytical terms this vintage has a tad more acidity. However, the results in the glass are extraordinarily different. The 2015 vintage is exuberant, round, succulent and immediate, whereas the 2016 vintage shows pinpoint sharpness and precision (with similar grit and texture at the back). That acidity will carry it long into the future as the wine completes its slow evolutionary course. This wine is chiseled and sharp with blackberry, ripe cherry, grilled herb and barbecue spice. The aromas flow from the glass in a continuous stream and are all marked by radiant intensity. The mouthfeel is long and powerful. The crisp linearity of the wine's tannic backbone is perfectly measured to the volume and depth of the fruit flavors. To my mind, the 2016 Sassicaia stands tall next to the epic 1985 vintage that set the ultimate benchmark for vino italiano. 100/100 (2019)

Falstaff: Funkelndes, intensives Rubinrot. Eröffnet mit feinen Gewürznoten, dazu viel Cassis, Brombeere und etwas Himbeere. Am Gaumen satt und präzise, entfaltet sich mit vielen Schichten von dichtem, feinmaschigem Tannin, beschreibt einen langen Bogen, im Finale feine Frucht. 100/100

James Suckling: Subtle and complex aromas of blackcurrants, fresh herbs, lavender, rosemary and oyster shell. Some moss, too. Very perfumed. Full-bodied yet integrated with refined tannins that melt into the palate. Extremely classy and polished. Hard not to drink now. Try after 2021, when the tannins will have integrated even better in the wine. 97/100 (2019)

Wine Enthusiast: Aromas of cedar, tobacco, blue flower and spiced plum fuse together in this elegantly structured, stunning red. One of Italy's most iconic wines, the smooth, compelling palate delivers flavors of black cherry, cassis, licorice and a hint of wild herb. Taut, polished tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity lends impeccable balance. A savory saline note lingers on the finish. 98/100 (2019)