Bright full ruby. Pure, perfumed aromas of blackberry, cassis, lead pencil, violet and minerals, complicated by a superripe note of crushed raspberry. Extremely primary and pure, offering sharply defined cassis, violet and mineral flavors of great class. The perfectly integrated acidity and a vibrant floral character from the cabernet franc give the middle palate terrific lift. Though very ripe in its flavor profile, this wine conveys a rare lightness of touch that is typical of Sassicaia but rare for this vintage on the Tuscan Coast. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding palate-staining length. For all its creamy power and charm, I really like this wine's balance and the subtle delivery of its complex flavors. I have tasted every vintage of Sassicaia on countless occasions and, other than the legendary 1985, I have no doubt that this is one of the two or three best Sassicaias at a similar stage of development. 97+ (ID)

Sassicaia has been showing amazing results in recent years, and the 2009 vintage opens with all the intensity and beauty you should expect of Italy's flagship super Tuscan. Notes of blackberry, soft spice, chocolate, espresso and a touch of rosemary oil make for a beautiful bouquet. The mouthfeel is long, supple and rich. Drink after 2010. *Cellar Selection*

Showing a heavier gait, the 2009 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a bold and determined wine that boasts rich extraction and a substantial phenolic base. I’m told that this is one of the richest expressions ever produced and it definitely shows. Brooding and muscular, this Sassicaia reveals broad shoulders and deep footprints. On the nose, it offers heavy aromas of dark fruit, plum, blackberry, leather, spice, tobacco and grilled herb. At the back are tarry notes of resin and smoke. This vintage saw a stunning set of ideal conditions ranging from a humid spring that built water reserves, a hot summer that kept ripening on track and a cool pre-harvest period with deep shifts between day and nighttime temperatures for pronounced aromas. The wine shows substantial richness and opulence with well-managed tannins and pretty bursts of freshness. There is still a lot of life left within to carry it forward throughout the years. (ML)