Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia (2023)

Extraordinary aromas of blackcurrants, wild blackberries and dark plums with violets, lavender and crushed rose petals. The fruit is remarkably pure, but what makes the nose compelling is everything surrounding it: rosemary, wild sage, bergamot, blood orange, graphite and crushed stone, with hints of pink peppercorn, cedar and anise developing with air. Medium- to full-bodied, yet astonishingly graceful, with beautifully polished tannins supporting layers of currant and plum rather than dominating them. There's wonderful freshness and an almost saline mineral tension through the middle, followed by cedar, Mediterranean herbs, tobacco and subtle spice. The Cabernet Franc brings aromatic lift and linearity while the Cabernet Sauvignon supplies the architecture. Exceptionally long, chalky and persistent, finishing with dark fruit, herbs, violets and crushed stone. Powerful without heaviness and sophisticated without austerity. A magnificent Sassicaia that already shows remarkable harmony but should evolve for decades.