Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC · Italy
2019 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
The original Super Tuscan — 2019 delivered one of its most celebrated vintages of the modern era.
- Varietal
- Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc
- Region
- Tuscany
- ABV
- 14%
- Vintage
- 2019
Drinking Window
In 2026: Approaching PeakDrinkable, but best years are ahead. Peak begins 2029.
Right now: In 2026, Sassicaia 2019 is just entering its drinking window. The tannins have softened enough that the wine is genuinely pleasurable now, though it will gain dramatically in complexity over the next 5 years. Primary fruit is still forward; secondary development — leather, dried herbs, Mediterranean scrub — is beginning to peek through. Decant 60–90 minutes for best current expression.
Tasting Note
Medium-deep ruby. The nose is quintessentially Sassicaia: blackcurrant and dark cherry lifted by Mediterranean herbs, crushed rosemary, and a faint iodine note that reflects the seaside Bolgheri terroir. On the palate, fine-grained tannins frame flavors of cassis, black olive, and warm earth. The mid-palate is polished and precise, with acidity that keeps the wine vibrant despite its concentration. The finish is long, savory, and finishes on a distinctly Mediterranean note of dried herbs and salty minerality.
The 2019 Vintage
2019 was an outstanding vintage along the Tuscan coast. A classic growing season with warm days, cool nights, and perfect ripening conditions produced wines of remarkable balance. Sassicaia 2019 received one of the highest critical scores in the estate's history, with several critics placing it alongside the legendary 1985 and 2015 vintages.
About Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia was the first Italian wine to challenge the Bordeaux-based dominance of the international market when it debuted in the 1970s. It remains the benchmark for Italy's 'Super Tuscan' movement and is the only wine in Italy with its own appellation (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC).
Food Pairings
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
The regional pairing — Tuscan T-bone's char and simplicity let the wine's structure shine.
Roasted duck with cherry reduction
Duck's richness and the cherry glaze align with the wine's dark fruit and herbal edges.
Aged Pecorino Toscano
Salty, nutty sheep's milk cheese mirrors the wine's Mediterranean salinity.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62–64°F (16–18°C)
- Decanting
- 60–90 minutes in 2026. By 2032, 30–45 minutes is sufficient.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C), 60–70% humidity.
Frequently Asked
Is 2019 Sassicaia ready to drink?
Yes. 2019 entered its drinking window in 2025 and is approachable now, though it will continue to gain complexity through approximately 2042.
How long will 2019 Sassicaia age?
Top-vintage Sassicaia routinely ages 25–30 years. Expect the 2019 to peak between 2029 and 2042, with graceful decline through 2048.
Do I need to decant 2019 Sassicaia?
In 2026, yes — 60–90 minutes of decanting significantly opens the wine. As it ages past 2032, decanting time can be reduced.
How does Sassicaia compare to Bordeaux?
Sassicaia is built on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc — the Bordeaux grapes — but Bolgheri's maritime climate and limestone-and-clay soils produce a wine with a distinctly Mediterranean signature: herbal, saline, and slightly warmer in fruit profile than a comparable Left Bank Bordeaux.
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