2000 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

It's hard to know what to make of the 2000 Bolgheri Sassicaia. It definitely follows the beat of its own drum and shows little in common with the vintages that precede or succeed it. It's a sure outlier. The bouquet offers dried fruit aromas with candied orange peel, apricot and green olive. It has been noted that fruit from young vines was blended with old vines in an effort to increase production numbers. That could explain the shortfalls of this vintage. All said and done, it shows little intensity and no possibility for further evolution.

Mid ruby with orange rim. Autumnal leaf and a touch of nuttiness but great fruit underneath. Quite juicy and gripping red fruit. Not extremely polished and just a tiny bit stalky, but has real grip and character. (WS)

Hickory, black cherry, spice rack, cedarwood and a mushroomy earthy tone to the nose. Likewise on the palate, a funky expressive nose, like fresh compost and over-ripe fruit. The structure is eminently accessible whilst grippy enough to keep, and is showing development that will surely expand with age. Very good (RH)