Solaia

The vintage 2014 has had the most important aspects in the management of the vineyard and in the selection of the grapes to achieve Solaia's quality. Pruning interventions in the vineyard combined with careful manual harvesting have ensured great potential of the grapes and grand varietal character. Once in the cellars, the grapes are delicately destemmed and the berries, before pressing, were carefully selected on a sorting table; here attention to detail was at its maximum, it is of fundamental importance that only perfect grapes end up in the 60 hectoliter (1585 gallon) conical fermenting tanks. During the fermentation and the period of skin contact, the must slowly became wine: in this phase much care was needed to maintain freshness and aroma, but without neglecting the extraction of color and a management of the tannins aimed at elegance and suppleness. Once the wine was run off its skins, it went through a complete malolactic fermentation in oak barrels to further add finesse and drinking pleasure. The barrels, all new, were coopered from French oak, and the aging period lasted 18 months. During this period the various lots, fermented separately according to their variety and the character of the individual vineyard parcels, completed their aging and are then blended together a few months before bottling. Winemaker Notes The 2014 vintage has been a difficult one, above all from a climatic point of view. Nonetheless, the results as far as the wines are concerned allow us to be optimistic and unquestionably satisfied. The color, the aromas, and the cleanness are certainly not lacking, we are certainly dealing with a vintage which is somewhat limited, less powerful but unquestionably one which an excellent typicality and stylistic character in addition to an indisputable potential longevity.

Solaia is a 50 acre (20 hectare) vineyard with a southwestern exposure located at an altitude between 1150 and 1325 feet (350-400 meters) above sea level and with a stony soil of “alberese” (hard limestone) and “galestro” (flaky calcareous clay) rock. The vineyard is located at the Tignanello estate. The Antinori family produced this wine for the first time in the year 1978, and the initial blend was 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc, a formula repeated in 1979 as well. In the following years, 20% of Sangiovese was introduced and certain adjustments were also made in the rapport between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc until the current blend was settled upon. Solaia is produced only in exceptional vintage, and was not produced in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1992.

A very intense ruby red in color, the wine offers aromas rich in their concentration of red and black fruit (cherries and black cherries, raspberries, cassis, blueberries, and wild berry fruit) which, together with notes of vanilla, black pepper, and liquorice, compose a bouquet which is decisively ample and complex. The palate is exceptionally elegant and balanced, fresh in its flavors and with much personality, solid and silky in its texture and tannins. The finish, characterized by notes of fruit and spices, is of great finesse and persistence.

Wine Advocate 95/100 USA James Suckling 95/100 USA