Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido 2002

Very brisk, smooth, seductive nose. Smart, sweet, nose that convinces the taster, in the way of a Bordeaux first growth, that only the finest French oak has been used. Gentle, winning texture but pretty expensive. Already a fine and satisfying mouthful displaying mild, Lafite-like charm. There is quality and vigour here and the wine should have a long life. A good wine to counter 2002’s reputation in Italy. Drink now to 2015

Oddly enough, this is the first official review of the 2002 Bolgheri Sassicaia in Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Presumably, the wine was overlooked due to the infamy of this widely condemned vintage. However, all is not lost. The wine offers a rather subtle bouquet of dried fruit, autumnal leaf, forest floor, button mushroom, tar and balsam herb. The effect is flat and one dimensional. And, the finish lacks freshness and vigor. What's the upside you ask? The wine seems to have taken on a life of its own. At a plateau now, I don't think it will change much in the coming years. It's a weaker expression of Sassicaia for sure, but Sassicaia it is nonetheless.