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A rare chance to sample the Super Tuscan Sassicaia 2012

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New Release of Sassicaia 2012, £545 in bond, £668.76 duty and VAT paid
95/100 points James Suckling

As a taste of things to come, we are offering the difficult to source – not to mention incredible to drink – “Super Tuscan” Sassicaia 2012, produced by Tenuta San Guido, for £545 for a case of six. This excellent wine –  85 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 15 per cent Cabernet Franc, pictured above – is one of the finest vintages of the last five years, at least on par with the 2009, although embodying more freshness, pedigree and balance (characteristics that can be attributed to the cool nights experienced in the growing season. The cases will be available for delivery in July. We are also offering Tenuta San Guido’s second wine, Guidalberto, which is one of the best red wines in the world for under £25.

The Sassicaia Estate, situated near the Tuscan coast in Bolgheri, says it is the Cabernet Franc that provides its unique finesse and famous longevity. In their youth the wines are ripe, rich, opulent and layered with black fruits, cherries, spices, minerals, herbs, new leather, caramel, smoke and toast. With age; sweet fruit, tobacco, cedar, porcini mushrooms, liquorice, flowers, maintaining a rich body with delicate tannin and a wonderful balance of masculinity and femininity.
 
James Suckling tasted the 2012 this month, scoring it a preliminary 95 points and calling it ‘the best Sassicaia since 2009.’ Antonio Galloni, has said of the vintage, “the 2012s I have tasted from barrel and bottle are hugely promising. The best wines are nothing short of exceptional.” The 2012 Tuscan vintage was hot and dry from June and August causing the vines to slow growth, which followed on from a cool February and a wet May: taken together this means yields are down 10-30%. The blend in 2012 is the archetypal 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc and as it is one of the finest vintages of the last five years, this is a Sassicaia to own. Moreover, over the last five years, the price of Sassicaia (taken from the last 10 released vintages) has risen over 90 per cent.
 
BUY NOW: Add Sassicaia 2012 to your cellar
 
Guidalberto 2013, 6×75 – £95 in bond, £128.76 duty and VAT paid
92/100 points James Suckling
 
Tenuta San Guido is famed for its legendary wine Sassicaia, however, their second wine Guidalberto, is one of the best red wines in the world for under £25. Guidalberto’s grapes are grown in the vineyards of Sassicaia, by their winemakers and it embodies Sassicaia’s majesty. The name Guidalberto, introduced in 2000, was inspired by the current proprietor’s great great great grandfather, Guidalberto della Gheradesca. The wine was created for two reasons; the Estate’s desire to accomplish something with Merlot (a grape that they do not use in Sassicaia) and to create a wine which could be enjoyed younger than their ‘veteran Sassicaia’.
 
Wine bought through the CityAM Wine Club can be held by the Wine Club, transferred in bond, or delivered to your home or office.