2002 Sassicaia Bolgheri DOC

Vinous 87+

Medium saturated ruby. Cool aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and mocha. Then sweet and bright in the mouth, with intense, peppery berry flavors complicated by leather and minerals. A distinctly stony, gripping style of wine that finishes a tad short and green. Currently less expressive and less generous than the best vintages, but keep in mind that reputedly off vintages such as the ’89 and the ’92 are splendid now. [Ian D’Agata, 09/01/2006]

Robert Parker 88

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. [Monica Larner, 28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2024