To appreciate the full depth and complexity of this wine, wine enthusiasts often organize vertical tastings, they taste different vintages of Sassicaia to compare their flavor profiles and aging characteristics. Here’s what you can expect from a vertical tasting of Sassicaia’s 21-year-old wine:
Appearance
The 21-year-old Sassicaia is a deep ruby color, with a slightly faded hue at the rim, indicating its age. It is thick and viscous, with long legs that cling to the sides of the glass, a sign of the wine’s high alcohol content.
Aroma
On the nose, the 21-year-old Sassicaia has intense aromas of dark fruits, such as blackcurrant, blackberry, and cherry, with hints of spice, tobacco, leather, and earthiness. The aromas are complex and layered, with subtle nuances that reveal themselves as the wine opens up in the glass.
Flavor
The flavor of the 21-year-old Sassicaia is rich and full-bodied, with a ripe and concentrated palate of dark fruits, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. The wine has a firm tannic structure that is well-integrated and gives it a velvety texture. The fruit flavors are balanced by the oak flavors, creating a seamless and harmonious wine that is both powerful and elegant.
Finish
The finish of the 21-year-old Sassicaia is long and lingering, with flavors that last for several minutes after the wine has been swallowed. The tannins are vibrant and refreshing, leaving a clean and crisp finish that prepares the palate for the next sip.
Comparison with other vintages
When tasting different vintages of Sassicaia, the 21-year-old wine stands out for its incredible complexity and depth of flavor. It is a wine that has aged gracefully, and its flavors have mellowed and integrated over time, creating a seamless and harmonious wine that is a joy to taste.
Compared to other vintages, the 21-year-old Sassicaia has a more restrained fruit profile, with less overt sweetness and more savory, earthy flavors. It also has a more developed and complex tannic structure, with softer and more rounded edges than younger vintages.
Conclusion
A vertical tasting of Sassicaia’s 21-year-old wine is a treat for wine lovers who appreciate the full spectrum of flavors that a wine can offer. This wine has aged gracefully, creating a complex and layered flavor profile that is both sophisticated and elegant. With aromas of dark fruits, hints of spice, tobacco, and leather, and a long and refreshing finish, the 21-year-old Sassicaia is a wine to savor and enjoy over a leisurely evening with friends or loved ones.