Podere Sapaio 'Sapaio' Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy 2019
- Winemaker: Massimo Piccin
- Variety: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot 10% Cabernet Franc
- Farming Practice: Organic
- Terroir: Gravelly soils
- Vinification/Aging: Fermentation in stainless steel, followed by 18 months aging in French oak barriques, followed by additional time in bottle before release.
- Tasting Note: Aromas of blackcurrant, plum, blackberry, graphite, and tobacco, with hints of Mediterranean herbs, lead to a full-bodied and muscular wine. Layers of morello cherry, super dark chocolate, and sweet balsamic leave a profound impression on the palate. This powerful profile is balanced by lasting acidity and firm but polished tannins, creating a long and elegant finish.
From our 2025 Serious Inquiries Only Bottle Cult Notes:
Podere Sapaio is a renowned winery located in Bolgheri, one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions. Situated along the sunny Tuscan coast, Bolgheri is known for its gravelly soils, Mediterranean climate, and cooling sea breezes, which create ideal conditions for Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—the primary grapes that define the Super Tuscan category.
Super Tuscan is a term that emerged in the 1970s to describe high-quality, non-traditional Tuscan wines that broke away from Italy’s strict DOC and DOCG regulations. Traditionally, Chianti and other Tuscan wines were required to include a significant percentage of Sangiovese, often blended with white grapes. But some winemakers, frustrated by these limitations within Tuscany’s vast and diverse terroir, began experimenting with Bordeaux varietals and Sangiovese in new styles, often aging the wines in French oak for added complexity.
These wines didn’t fit within the legal classifications at the time and were initially labeled as Vino da Tavola (table wine), a less rigid and prestigious designation—despite their exceptional quality. Over time, though, their reputation grew, and in 1992, the IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) classification was introduced to officially recognize them. Today, Super Tuscans are among Italy’s most prestigious and collectible wines, including Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Ornellaia.
Founded in 1999 by Massimo Piccin, Podere Sapaio is a relatively young estate but has quickly gained a strong reputation for its elegant, structured, and terroir-driven wines. The winery’s philosophy revolves around low-intervention winemaking and organic farming, ensuring that each vintage reflects the unique character of the Bolgheri terroir. At the same time, they maintain a commitment to innovation, continuously refining their production facilities. With immaculate attention to detail and quality, Podere Sapaio has solidified its place among the top Super Tuscan producers.
Their flagship bottling, Sapaio, is known for its richness, depth, and incredible aging potential. The 2019 vintage is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Petit Verdot. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine undergoes extended aging—about 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by additional time in bottle before release. This aging process adds depth, structure, and refined tannins, creating balance in this powerhouse wine.
Aromas of blackcurrant, plum, blackberry, graphite, and tobacco, with hints of Mediterranean herbs, lead to a full-bodied and muscular wine. Layers of morello cherry, super dark chocolate, and sweet balsamic leave a profound impression on the palate. This powerful profile is balanced by lasting acidity and firm but polished tannins, creating a long and elegant finish.
Sapaio is a highly age-worthy wine, often evolving beautifully over 15–20 years, gaining more finesse and complexity with time. It pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats, aged cheeses, and powerfully spiced dishes (the flavorful kind, not the spicy kind). Patience will be your friend with this wine, but if you truly can’t contain your excitement and want to indulge now, open it a full day before you plan to enjoy it (seriously). —Simi Grewal, DECANTsf
