Bolgheri 2010 & 2011: panel tasting results

Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri Sassicaia 2010
Decanter average score: 18.5/20pts (95/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Ian D’Agata 18.5 Michael Garner 18.5 Emily O’Hare 18.5

Price: £114.40-£150 Armit Wines, Justerini & Brooks, Millésima, Secret Cellar, Swig, Oxford Wine Co, Private Cellar
Drink: 2015-2026
Alc 13.5% 

There is very little left to say about this extraordinary wine except to continue to extol its proverbial elegance and amazing consistency. Year in, year out Sassicaia captures the character of the vintage in all its positive aspects while avoiding the attendant pitfalls. It can be delicate without losing structure and ripe without losing freshness, all the while maintaining its own unmistakeable style. Winemaker and eminence grise of Sassicaia, Giacomo Tachis retired in 2010, his place taken by Graziana Grassini, with no perceptible change in style or quality. If there is anything new to add, it is the impression that in recent vintages, without losing any of its prodigious longevity, it has become a hint more approachable in its youth.
Ian D’Agata Extremely aromatic notes of red berries, sour red cherries, violet, white pepper and fresh herbs. Finishes very bright and fresh.
Michael Garner Scented berry fruit nose with good freshness. Ripe and full with fleshy fruit flavour and a hint of butterscotch. Good balance and length.
Emily O’Hare Memories of Côte-Rotie. This is supremely pretty, with lots of character and depth of flavour.


Ceralti, Alfeo, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 18.25/20pts (94/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 18.5 MG 18 EOH 18.5

Price: £35 Tuscanic
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc 14.5%

Fleshy and ripe with full berry fruit aromas. A very pure and lively wine. Lots of crunchy red berries, violets, sweet spices and a refined leafy nuance at the back. Balanced tannins and good length.


Collemassari, Grattamacco, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 18.25/20pts (94/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 18.5 MG 18.5 EOH 18

Price: £41 Decorum Vintners, Millésima, Uncorked
Drink: 2015-2020
Alc 14%

Very pretty Sangiovese florality and freshness to lift the rich aromas and flavours. Full, ripe and fleshy with forward, bramble fruit flavours. Great wine, with above-average clarity and cut.


Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri Sassicaia 2011
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 18.25 MG 18 EOH 17.5 

Price: POA Armit Wines, Milésima, Secret Cellar, Swig
Drink: 2015-2020
Alc 13.5%

Pristine aromas and flavours of cassis, violet, cedar and minty aromatic herbs. Round and ripe with some freshness of acidity. Interesting breadth of flavour. Fleshy, ripe and very good.


Gaja, Ca’ Marcanda, Bolgheri 2010
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.25 MG 18 EOH 17 

Price: £69.99 Hedonism, Secret Cellar, Wholefoods
Drink: 2015-2026
Alc 14%

Aromas of coffee and chocolate and hints of garrigue. Ripe, round and juicy with plenty of fleshy, sweet fruit though balanced by decent acidity. Perfumed finish. Very good.


I Greppi, Greppicante, Bolgheri 2011
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.75 MG 17 EOH 17.5 

Price: £15.95 Swig
Drink: 2014-2018
Alc 13.5%

Purple flowers such as violet and lavender with savoury red berry and vanilla nuances. Balanced and long, with fair concentration of ripe fruit flavours. Haunting aromas of chocolate and plum.


Le Grascete, Bolgheri Superiore 2011
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.75 MG 16.5 EOH 18 

Price: N/A UK www.legrascete.com
Drink: 2014-2018
Alc 15%

Captivating aromas of small, dark berries, violet, red cherry jam and sweet spices. Quite complete on the palate, which is full of dried tobacco and fresh plum flavours. This is fleshy, spicy and needs time.



Le Macchiole, Bolgheri 2010
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.25 MG 17 EOH 18 

Price: £16.95-£18.95 Lea & Sandeman, Millésima, Vini Italiani
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc 14%

Fresh and vibrant aromas of red berries, aromatic herbs and orange peel. Bright and fresh on the palate with fair length. Very good overall.


Mulini di Segalari, Ai Confini del Bosco, Bolgheri 2010
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17 MG 17 EOH 18.5 

Price: N/A UK www.mulinidisegalari.it
Drink: 2014-2022
Alc 13%

Perfumed nose of fresh fruit and flowers; quite high-toned. This wine is different; fragrant and fresh, lively and clean. Good length and aroma. Very correct.


Cipriana, Scopaio, Bolgheri 2010
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 16.5 MG 18 EOH 17 

Price: N/A UK +39(0)565775568
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc 13%

Round and ripe with forward, blue and bramble fruit aromas. Fleshy with good depth of juicy berry flavours and a great spice character. Lovely balance and length.


Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore 2011
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.25 MG 17.5 EOH 17.25 

Price: POA Armit Wines, Secret Cellar, Oxford Wine Co
Drink: 2014-2017
Alc 14.5%

Big, ripe and burly: sweet bramble fruits with notes of molasses and chocolate. Full and very ripe with solid tannins; a real taste of Maremma.


Poggio al Tesoro, Sondraia, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.5 MG 17.5 EOH 16.5 

Price: £31.99 Carruthers & Kent, D Byrne & Co, HarperWells, Harrods, Hedonism, The Good Wine Shop, Toscanaccio, Vallebona, Waples Wines, Wined Up Here
Drink: 2015-2018
Alc 14.5%

Blackberry, liquorice and cedar nose. Sweet spice, cherry cola flavours and smooth tannins. A crowd pleaser.


Serni Fulvio Luigi, Acciderba, Bolgheri 2010
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 16.75 MG 17.5 EOH 17.5 

Price: £20 GIDA
Drink: 2015-2028
Alc 14%
 

Big, rich and dense but with lively acidity that lifts the ripe red fruit aromas and flavours. This has masses of fleshy berry fruit flavours with charcoal and gunpowder nuances. 

Banfi, Aska, Bolgheri 2011
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17.25 MG 17.5 EOH 16.5 

Price: £50 Bibendum
Drink: 2015-2018
Alc 14.5%

Mint and menthol complement blueberry and cassis on the floral nose. Big, round and juicy with good aromas of blue and black berries with some spicy overtones. Lively on the long, juicy finish.


Campo alla Sughera, Arnione, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17 MG 16 EOH 18 

Price: £22.70-£25.95 (2007) Mondial Wine, Winedirect
Drink: 2015-2017
Alc 14%

Big, dense and suave. Ripe and chocolatey with pretty coffee and herbal notes with complicating hints of strawberry jam. This has a Côte-Rotie vibe: cool and pretty.


Cipriana, San Martino, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 16.25 MG 18 EOH 17 

Price: N/A UK +39(0)565775568
Drink: 2016-2022
Alc 13.5%

Scented and ripe with notes of coffee and butterscotch. Balanced palate with broad, ripe berry fruit flavours and decent oak integration.


Mulini di Segalari, Bolgheri Superiore 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: IDA 17 MG 16 EOH 18 

Price: £16 www.mulinidisegalari.it 
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc 13%

Almost pungently floral with bright red berry fruit and oriental spices. Ripe, full and fleshy with decent berry fruit aromas. This has freshness and vibrancy.

Source: http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34483/slideshow/0/bolgheri-2010-2011-panel-tasting-results#slideshow