Podere Sapaio Bolgheri Superiore Sapaio 2019
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WC 97] [WA 95] [WE 95] [JD 94] [JS 94] [FS 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:

The Philosophy…
Podere Sapaio has an experimental and innovational philosophy: it aims at searching new expressions of Bordeaux grape varieties in the Bolgheri area, with the final goal of producing wines which put together power, elegance and longevity.

A New Interpreter of the Bolgheri Area…
The estate Podere Sapaio was founded in 1999. Its 40 hectares are spread between the Councils of Castagneto Carducci and Bibbona. Grape varieties of Bordeaux origin — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot — which in the last fifty years have imposed themselves in the area, are grown in lands of quaternary deposits. Other grape varieties are present in small quantities. There are also some hectares of land, which are part of the estate, where Frantoio, Moraiolo and Leccino cultivars of olive trees are grown.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - WinesCritic.com:
"Complex on the nose, with notes of black plums, blackberries, sweet caramel, myrtle, juniper berries and nutmeg. Plenty of violet dominates the secondary scene, blending with nuances of hyacinth and guarana. Full-bodied, with decidedly noble, silky tannins and a finish with a slightly bitter close that will soften with time. Better from 2026." -Raffaele Vecchione (Nov 2022)

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 Sapaio is a classic blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This wine has gone from being a Bolgheri Superiore to an IGT Toscana because Massimo Piccin now sources a tiny bit of fruit from outside the appellation in Bibbona. These are beautiful results with a full and generous bouquet and highlights of cherry, dried raspberry, cedar, grilled herb and tobacco. This is a terrific vintage with 15,000 bottles on the market. Drinking Window: 2023-2038." -Monica Larner (Jul 2022)

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"A nose that's marvelously chameleon-like, offering first cherries and berries with a sweet but serious vanilla undertone, then tangy, sanguine soil and crushed rocks, then bitter roots and spices. The palate is equally layered, then electrified with heat and acid through a lingering finish."

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The current release on the market, the 2019 Sapaio is the same blend as the 2020 and pours a dark ruby/red hue. Revealing pleasing aromas of graphite, black cherry liqueur, mocha, and baby powder, it's full-bodied on the palate and has ripe but present tannins. With fresh acidity, an iron-rich, sanguine feel, and salinity on the finish, it has a touch more of an angular feel, but it's all well-balanced. I like the structure here more than the 2020. This is a very nice vintage of this wine to drink 2025-2036." -Audrey Frick (Jan 2024)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Dark cherries, dark plums and dried herbs with some lemon zest. Medium to full body with firm, grainy tannins and tangy acidity. Structured and richly tannined, with a juicy finish. Hard not to drink now."

93 Points - Falstaff:
"Compact, dark ruby red with a shimmering core. Opens gracefully on the nose with notes of dark chocolate, cigar box and blackberry. Spreads quickly across the palate with firm, fine tannins, plenty of drive and lots of dark fruit through to the lingering finish."