Barberry Garden

A wine corner in a crazy world

More

Elegance & Power: Sassicaia and Saffredi Through the Years

·

EN

·

Boris Buliga


some random image you can find on barberry garden
Photo by Anna Zinchuk

At a recent wine-tasting event focusing on the Sangiovese grape, courtesy of Vasyl Velykanskiy, I was struck by the scarcity of this varietal in my personal consumption – a reflection of my general ambivalence towards Toscana's offerings, with notable exceptions like Stella di Campalto and a handful of Super Tuscan producers. Credit where credit is due, Zorick Umansky has opened my eyes to these gems.

Despite what my ambivalence might suggest, I'm all ears for a compelling glass of wine, so the prospect of tasting several vintages of the illustrious Sassicaia alongside Saffredi was an enticing one. This opportunity felt like a natural progression from our last venture into the Premier Crus of Bordeaux, whose influence is markedly imprinted on the Super Tuscan wines.

The tale is somewhat legendary (and widely known): robust Bordeaux varietals taking root in the Sangiovese-centric soils of Toscana, leading to a dramatic shift in winemaking traditions and regulatory reforms. This revolution, while easily overlooked today with a dismissive wave of the hand, was groundbreaking at its inception.

some random image you can find on barberry garden
Sassicaia lineup. Photo by Anna Zinchuk

Sassicaia's story begins in the rugged, stone-strewn terrains of a 42-hectare vineyard established by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in 1944. Its name, meaning 'place of many stones', speaks to the unique terroir that contributes to its distinct character. It stands apart as the sole Italian wine with its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, a testament to its unparalleled history. Initially a private family affair, its rise to international prominence has been nothing short of meteoric, reshaping global perceptions of Italian wine.

some random image you can find on barberry garden
Saffredi lineup. Photo by Anna Zinchuk

Saffredi, born of Elisabetta Geppetti's pioneering spirit in 1987, emerges from the Maremma, just south of Bolgheri. Known as the 'Lady of Morellino', Elisabetta's venture has produced a wine that is a bold blend, typically of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Saffredi is synonymous with innovation and excellence in the Super Tuscan category, offering depth and complexity that command attention and respect.

Or so the prevailing narrative goes about these wines. My primary mission, however, is to relish these renowned bottles firsthand and form my own impressions. The lineup doesn't just stop at Sassicaia and Saffredi. As a nod to the more refined palates, a bottle of Stella di Campalto is included, offering a graceful counterbalance to the robust profiles of the Super Tuscans, proving that delicacy and strength can indeed coexist beautifully in the world of wine. And naturally, concluding with a touch of sweetness brings the entire experience complete.

WinePlace
wavg
sdev
fav
🏅 8th4.39330.01761
🏅 13th4.15480.01920
🏅 12th4.21830.02090
🏅 9th4.32600.00901
🏅 10th4.28700.02633
🥉 3rd4.49230.00488
🥈 2nd4.57550.01857
🏅 7th4.40870.02472
🏅 4th4.46200.01640
🏅 5th4.44810.01404
🥇 1st4.63750.01360
🏅 6th4.44230.04830
🏅 11th4.23250.06430

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2006

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2006
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
14
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2006

This wine secured the 🏅 8th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2004

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2004
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
14
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2004

This wine secured the 🏅 13th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2003

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2003
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
14
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2003

This wine secured the 🏅 12th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2002

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2002
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
13.5
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 2002

This wine secured the 🏅 9th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 1999

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
1999
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
13.5
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 1999

This wine secured the 🏅 10th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 1997

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Maremma Toscana IGT
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
1997
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache
Alcohol
13.5
Fattoria le Pupille Saffredi 1997

This wine secured the 🥉 3rd place in our wine tasting lineup.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2016

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2016
Grapes
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
14
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2016

This wine secured the 🥈 2nd place in our wine tasting lineup.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2007

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2007
Grapes
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
13.5
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2007

This wine secured the 🏅 7th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2006

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2006
Grapes
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
13.5
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2006

This wine secured the 🏅 4th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2005

Region
Italy » Tuscany » Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2005
Grapes
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
13.5
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2005

This wine secured the 🏅 5th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino Piccoli Contenitori 2016

Region
Italy » Toscana » Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Type
red still, dry
Vintage
2016
Grapes
Sangiovese
Alcohol
14.5
Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino Piccoli Contenitori 2016

This wine secured the 🥇 1st place in our wine tasting lineup.

Weingut Joh Jos Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2009

Region
Germany » Mosel » Prädikatswein
Type
white still, sweet
Vintage
2009
Grapes
Riesling
Alcohol
7.5
Weingut Joh Jos Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2009

This wine secured the 🏅 6th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Château Rieussec Sauternes 2005

Region
France » Bordeaux » Sauternes AOC
Type
white still, sweet
Vintage
2005
Grapes
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
Alcohol
14
Château Rieussec Sauternes 2005

This wine secured the 🏅 11th place in our wine tasting lineup.

Raw scores

WineInnaMax DZorick UMariia LVitalii MMykolaVolodymyr ANatashaKostyantynAnna ZBoris BAAnton T
4.204.504.404.804.404.404.304.404.404.404.404.404.30
4.304.403.904.404.204.204.004.204.204.204.304.104.10
4.104.404.004.604.304.304.304.304.204.304.104.204.20
4.404.304.304.204.404.454.354.504.504.304.204.304.40
4.604.204.204.504.504.454.204.304.504.504.104.604.35
4.404.504.404.404.604.504.504.454.604.604.504.504.50
4.404.604.604.404.704.504.404.404.404.704.604.654.80
4.504.404.104.604.604.554.504.504.604.604.204.604.60
4.204.504.304.504.504.654.454.554.554.404.404.454.70
4.504.404.304.404.504.654.504.604.704.504.304.504.60
4.504.704.604.704.804.604.604.404.504.704.804.504.60
4.804.504.305.004.604.804.404.404.804.604.204.504.50
4.504.304.004.854.304.704.354.004.304.004.404.30