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Wine Description
The Story
After almost 30 years of experimentation and solid work the Marquis decided to release Sassicaia´s 1968 vintage to the open market using his cousin´s, Antinori´s distribution network in the early 1970s, with instant sensation. At a Decanter tasting of Cabernet wines in London, 1978, Sassicaia from vintage 1972 beat all the other 33 wines of France and California, and since then Sassicaia has been one of the leading wines in the world and in great demand among wine collectors and investors. The marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta passed away in 1983. His son, Marquis Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta, now oversees all estate operations.
Sassicaia means “the place of many stones,” and refers to the region’s gravel soil. The original vineyards have a southwest exposure with extensive sun and maritime breezes that create robust vegetation. The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and crushed before fermenting with natural yeasts for 15 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged in French oak barriques (40% new) for 24 months, then refined for 6 months in bottle before release.
Wine Information
The vineyards are planted on plots of land with different and composite morphological characteristics, as well as with a strong presence of limestone. These areas are also rich in clay and rocks and are located at an altitude between 80 and 300 meters above sea level, facing East / South East.
Vine training: Cordon trained and spur-pruned
Planting density: Between 3.500 to 5.000 vine stocks per ha
Climate 1983: Slightly abnormal, average rainfall, cool temperatures and moderate sunshine.
Wine making: 10 – day maceration in temperature controlled steel vats of 75 hl and 120 hl. The maceration was relatively short as the skins were not very thick and there was not an abundance of extractable substances. The malolactic fermentation was over by November 15th. The wine had a medium structure, but certainly not full bodied.
Ageing: 70% of the wine aged 22 months in French (Tronçais and a small percentage of Allier) oak barrels (75% new and the rest having been used one or twice before). The remaining wine aged in Slavonian oak 1/3 new, and the rest used once or twice before.
