2020 was considered quite a warm vintage in Tuscany, and Bolgheri, helped however by timely rain towards the end of August. Harvest was nonetheless fast-paced, in sharp contrast to 2019, a race especially to get cabernet sauvignon off the time before overripeness set in, and one that paradoxically favoured earlier ripening sangiovese (and merlot). This explains why the blend in this year has a dominance of sangiovese, 60% vs. 40% cabernet, though most years it's usually closer to the reverse. The cabernet selection is determined at harvest in the cellar, after portions for the two top wines, Guidalberto and Sassicaia itself, are determined, while sangiovese comes from long-time grower-partners in Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina, much better suited to the variety than Bolgheri. It's a fine and fruity vintage, with fully integrated wood influence even at this early stage (aged in barrels formerly used in Sassicaia and Guidalberto production), while the palate is fleshy, ripe and silky, with very fine tannins, polished and supple. Flavours span the fresh red fruit spectrum predominantly, more focused on the sangiovese DNA with its savoury herbs and blood orange, red and black cherry flavours. Length and depth are very good; a polished, elegant, immediately delicious vintage, best 2023-2027 or so, and an excellent entry point into the estate's wines, displaying the class expected. Tasted September 2022. Score - 92. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)