Sassicaia 2017 has been released in the UK at £1,700 per 12×75.
The perfect Sassicaia 2016 was released at £1,270 per case (25% discount) this time last year but in minuscule quantities; since then, the 2016 has risen 88% in value.
According to the Wine Advocate, production volumes in 2017 were reduced by about 15%.
But prices for Sassicaia have been on a steady upward trend of late. The Italy 100, of which Sassicaia is a major component, was the best-performing index in 2019, and is up 5% over a one-year period. Our report on the fine wines of Italy, published in September, provided detailed analysis on the factors behind this impressive performance.
Today’s release achieved 94 points from the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner, who described it as a “fascinating wine [that] magically captures the hallmarks of cool-temperature winemaking in one of the hottest vintages in recent years”.
In her tasting note, Larner recognised the challenges during the growing season and the vintners’ skill in handling them. Compared to the 100-point 2016 Sassicaia, however, she gives “this wine a seven out of 10 in terms of aromas, a five out of 10 in terms of mid-palate, and an eight out of 10 in terms of structure”.
For Antonio Galloni (Vinous), the “sumptuous and flamboyantly ripe” 2017 Sassicaia “captures all the personality of the year in spades”. He scored it 92-95 points. Prices for Sassicaia have historically shown 59% correlation to Galloni’s scores. At this price point, the 2017 is positioned very close to the Fair Value line.
Other vintages to consider include the 2010, 2012, 2009, 2013 – all available at a discount, with some age and a higher score from the critic.
