The 2006 Bolgheri Sassicaia is a stunning wine and the standout performer among these older vintages. In a sense, 2004 and 2006 are siblings. The 2004 vintage is the loud and boisterous brother and 2006 is the calmly collected, intellectual alternative. This wine possesses a deep sense of inner elegance that is transmitted into tiny, elegant pulses that form a steady and meaningful continuum. Those fluid tones of small berry, blue flower and toasted almond build in intensity and momentum. The wine shows energy and vertical propulsion. It also incorporates a distinctively pure and polished feel that comes forward with aromas of natural rubber, crushed granite and tarry smoke. These dark elements contribute to the overall complexity and depth of the wine. Perhaps the most significant aromatic characteristic of the 2006 Bolgheri Sassicaia is its inherent flower power. At this stage, the wine bursts forward with a bouquet of pressed violets, lavender and garden rose. Finely polished tannins and balanced acidity follow those delicate nuances. This is a subtle wine with ethereal traits that serve well for its longevity.