Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta and me
Sunday, September 11th: Invited to a Sassicaia dinner at Sofia restaurant in Yorkville, hosted by Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido. Our party was served a glass of Cave Spring Dolomite Brut before sitting down for dinner and three vintages of Sassicaia.
Sassicaia 2019: Deep purple ruby in colour; lovely floral, toasty, cedary nose of blueberry and plum with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, beautifully balanced, seamless and harmonious, but firmly structured with pliant tannins and well-integrated oak. Richly extracted, velvety mid-palate. Quite forward and accessible. (97)
(Priscilla told us that 2019 “was a very relaxed vintage, one of the vintages we would like to happen every year…ideal ripening conditions.”)
Sassicaia 2018: Deep purple-ruby in colour; spicy, cedary, vanilla, blueberry and ripe currants on the nose; medium-bodied, dry and elegant; lean and sinewy, beautifully balanced flavours of black and blue fruits, quite delicate on the palate. (94)
Sassicaia 2010: Great depth of ruby colour; cedary, spicy nose of redcurrant and plum; medium to full-bodied, dry, vibrant acidity, beautifully balanced blueberry and blackcurrant flavours. (93)
Sassicaia vintages
Other wines tasted:
Château des Charmes Chardonnay 2020 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard
Light golden colour; toasty, spicy, apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach and apple flavours with lemony acidity. Great length. (90)
Pentâge Rosé 2021 (Penticton, BC)
Salmon pink; lightly floral, minerally, cherry pit nose; medium-bodied, just off-dry, ripe cherry and strawberry flavours carried on lively acidity with a candied raspberry finish. (89)
Pentâge Merlot Dirty Dozen Vineyard Merlot 2018
Deep ruby in colour; vanilla, blueberry and plim nose with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury black fruit flavours with ripe tannins and fresh acidity.
Pentâge Syrah 2017
Deep purple in colour; savoury, floral herbal nose of blackberries with vanilla oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, blackberry and black olive flavours with dark chocolate notes. Well-balanced and well-integrated oak. (91)
Pentâge Pentâge Blend 2016
30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc,10% Malbec. Deep purple colour; cedary, toasty, blackcurrant nose with pencil lead notes and oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, elegant, red and black fruit flavours carried on lively acidity. Creamy mouth-feel. (90)
Mission Hill Reserve Rosé 2021
Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir blend. Pale salmon pink; minerally, redcurrant nose; medium-bodied, dry, redcurrant and watermelon and strawberry flavours with lively acidity. Good length. (89)
Free Bird Riesling 2021 (Ontario)
Bright, pale straw colour; lightly spicy, peach and citrus; medium-bodied, dry, lemon-lime and green mango flavours. Easy drinking. (89)
