Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
I have had this wine in tastings with 1985 and 1986 Bordeaux first-growths and top 1985 California Cabernets. In each tasting the 1985 Sassicaia has not only been my favorite, but the first choice of the majority of the tasters. Unquestionably one of the most compelling and dramatic Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted, it continues to go from strength to strength. The color remains an opaque black/purple, and the huge nose of minerals, licorice, blackcurrants, and smoky oak is persistent and intense. With extraordinary richness, full body, unbelievable concentration, and a moderately tannic, opulent finish, this thrilling wine remains young and largely unevolved. It has at least 20-25 years of longevity.
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
I had this wine in a blind tasting - I have had it frequently, and have never failed to give it a perfect rating. At the same time, I have often mis-identified it in blind tastings as the 1986 Mouton-Rothschild. In this tasting, the wine was phenomenal. The color remains an opaque purple. The bouquet is beginning to develop secondary aromas of cedar and truffles to go along with its intense cassis, black-raspberry, blackberry, tarry, toasty personality. Exceptionally dense, concentrated, and full-bodied, this wine possesses layers of concentrated fruit that are beautifully balanced by the wine's sweet tannin and well-integrated acidity. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. A monumental Cabernet Sauvignon, it is one of the greatest wines made this century. Tasting after tasting continues to confirm this wine's surreal level of quality. Despite being 11 years old, it remains youthful. My best guess for when it will reach full maturity is between 2000-2025. What a wine!
Wine Spectator
No wine has ever been as great as this from Sassicaia, and it is one of the best wines Italy has ever produced. It has an unreal richness and silky texture that exudes class, with currant, mineral and milk chocolate. It's full-bodied and very bright with lots of tannins and a powerful, superrich finish. The wine changes all the time in the glass. A symphony. 100 points, non-blind.
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