WTN: 1986 Sassicaia

1986 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri 12.5%
Was looking for something a bit older to celebrate Father’s Day and got curious to see how this loner in my cellar, on the eve of its silver jubilee, had aged. Excellent cork, kudos to the Portuguese. Bordeaux nose, with cassis, elegant oak, tobacco and endless waves of leather. Decent acidity, attractive fruit, medium tannins. Alcohol civilized and oak fully integrated. Hollow mid-palate and short finish were my minor (not) gripes, but Marcia disagreed about both. But the leather, oh, the leather, made up for the lack of typicity (blindfolded, I would have sworn this was a fine older claret). I understand this wine became heavy handed in later vintages, but in 1986 there was still balance in its objectives.

I still have a couple of these - must try one now that you have posted this note.

I have maybe 8 of the killer 1988 which I should also revisit, and I am trying to decide what to do with the unbelievably good 1985 - when they bring $1500 - 2500 a bottle, one can't help thinking that it might be better to give them to someone who clearly values them more highly than I do and buy several cases of good wine with the result.

$1500 - 2500 a bottle

Had no idea it was so, er, dear! Might have appreciated it more.

$1500 - 2500 a bottle

Had no idea it was so, er, dear! Might have appreciated it more.

Yeah, normally I don't care what a wine is worth, to me it is worth what I paid for it, but when you hits a certain price, you start wondering if you wouldn't rather have a case of something else that is quite good as opposed to a single bottle of a wine that is sublime.....the inner struggle continues. You didn't drink the mortgage payment with the 86, though. I looked - I paid $48 a bottle for mine (Canadian) and it now sells via internet for around $200, enough to make it a special bottle, but not one that need elicit any pangs of regret at opening it.