Nearing the end of its very long and illustrious lifespan, the 1971 Sassicaia reverts to savory tones of black olive, spicy dried jerky, licorice and tar. There is little natural sweetness left and the mouthfeel is dry and dusty instead. Overall, this vintage offers less depth and dimension, although it is remarkably sound and complete considering its age. Only a handful of Italian wines (made outside Piedmont) way back in 1971 can claim to have aged so well. This is a true taste of Tuscan history.