2021 Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, Tuscany, Italy

Firm and very deep, pure, extremely deep nose of blackcurrants, some pipe tobacco and a hint of cherries with restrained cedary aromas, a hint of leather, pepper, first-class paprika as well as traces of meat juice and roasting and with air-cooling ethereal-herbal notes. Ripe, tightly knit, deep, concentrated and juicy, highly noble fruit, again black berry and cherry, still barely developed, present, yet incredibly fine, ripe, perfect tannins, clearly cooling Mediterranean herbs, tomato paste and a hint of paprika on the palate, some bitter chocolatey wood spice, persistent, has power, but also elegance, appears deceptively accessible, initially only hints at its complexity, gains enormously with air, becomes deeper and deeper, has freshness and precise contours for all its power and concentration, hints of coffee, lots of salt, long, dense, very juicy, incredibly multi-layered, finely spiced finish with increasing bite. After sufficient airing on the verge of perfection, which it may yet reach: needs to mature for a long time.

Best to drink: 2028-2045+. What our ratings mean