by James Dossan
From Rebel to Royalty
“The greatest creations arise from simple experiments, and this is how it was born one of the most prestigious wines in the world, Sassicaia”
When we talk about Sassicaia and the Tenuta San Guido Estate, the words which come to mind are innovative and pioneering. What we know today as one of Tuscany’s leading estates was once an experimental project led by the innovative Italian pioneer, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rochetta.
He recognised the similarity of the Bolgherian climate to that of Bordeaux and the potential for the region to create long-lived, exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. With this in mind he directed his efforts to making a success of this celebrated grape in Bolgheri, starting by planting clones of Cabernet Sauvignon taken from Chateau Lafite in the 1950s.
Making wine from Cabernet Sauvignon was a controversial decision in Tuscany where the tradition has always been to produce quality wines from indigenous varieties, most particularly Sangiovese. The local market, accustomed to lighter, local wines, weren’t very welcoming of the first vintages of Sassicaia. As a result, recognition for the estate was only achieved in the mid 1970’s when the vines and wines had time to mature.
There are two significant turning points in the development of the reputation of Sassicaia. Firstly, Sassicaia emerged victorious in 1978 in a Decanter blind tasting against 33 other Bordeaux blends from around the world. Secondly,in the 1990’s when it was awarded its own DOC status; Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC; a phenomenal achievement for a wine once classified as a basic IGT.
Today, the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of the Marchese is celebrated and Sassicaia has reached the lofty heights of the world’s most iconic wines.
