The 2019 vintage is a stunner, and what stands out most is the richness and elegant concentration of the mouthfeel. This is a characteristic of the 2019 vintage that was even-keeled in terms of temperature extremes and moisture throughout the vegetative cycle. The 2018 vintage saw alternating periods of wet cold and extreme heat, but the 2019 season was far more harmonious and gradual in terms of climate. The 2019 edition is superior to the 2018 also in terms of its cellar-aging potential.

Similar to the classic 2016 vintage, 2019 saw the cooling effects of sea breezes that are channeled through the Tuscan archipelago directly off the Bolgheri coastline. The unique Bolgheri microclimate is expressed with power, complexity and intensity. A mix of mineral-rich sandy clay loam soils contributes to the vibrant energy of the wine and to the finely textured tannins that hold together the wine’s generous fruit weight.

To conclude, 2019 is one of the great vintages in the modern history of Bolgheri Sassicaia. It is elegant and forthcoming now (although the wine must be given ample time to open), and it promises to withstand the test of time. The 2019 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a wine to collect and keep.

Monica Larner, January 2022, Robert Parker