Sassicaia 1995 150cl

This exceptional 1995 has two decades of aging potential ahead of it. The wine boasts a nearly opaque ruby/purple color, as well as a knock-out nose of lead pencil, pain grille, minerals, licorice, and black currants. As the wine sat in the glass, violet/floral notes began to emerge. In the mouth, it is tightly-knit and tannic, but superbly concentrated as well as remarkably pure. It possesses that sweet, rich mid-palate that often distinguishes great wines from merely good wines. The finish lasts for over 30 seconds. This wine should only be purchased by readers willing to wait the 5-6 years needed for it to shed its raw tannin and grapiness. The 1995 appears to be a Sassicaia to rival the estate's other top vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. One of the world's classic Cabernet Sauvignons, this wine has a phenomenal track record for being ageworthy, and hitting some remarkable peaks of quality in great vintages (1985 is perfection in a bottle, and the unreleased 1997 may be an identical twin in the making).

Best Sassicaia since the '90. Rich in currant, blackberry, dried herbs and tanned leather on the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied, with very soft yet fine tannins and a long, caressing finish. Hard to resist now. Best after 1999. JS