Vinification
Climate
After a late fall and winter, on the whole rather mild and rainy, the spring of 2016 began with excellent weather in Chianti Classico, favoring a bud break ten days in advance of seasonal averages. The month of May and the first half of June saw some precipitation but the weather, which was slightly cool, had no influence on the decisive phases of flowering and bud set. The climate was, for the most part, warm up until the end of August, dry and without temperatures peaks, excellent cultivation conditions for maintaining a first-class balance between vegetative production and the grapes, guaranteeing a perfect growth of the crop. The period of picking was regular, with occasional rains alternating with sun and wind, conditions which assisted an ideal process of ripening for the three grape varieties planted in the Solaia vineyard. The harvest of the Sangiovese began during the last week of September. The Cabernet Franc was picked from September 28 to October 1st, while the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest took place from the 3rd to the 12th of October. Total annual rainfall: 41.2 inches Average temperatures, April 1st to October 13th: 66.8 °Fahrenheit Rainfall from April 1st to October 13th: 16.7 inches
Vinification
The 2016 vintage, regular in its development and time span, will be remembered for the harvest of healthy and fully ripe grapes, favored by excellent climatic conditions during the entire growing season, particularly during the period of picking. Attention was nonetheless completely focused both in the vineyard and in the cellar where the grape berries were delicately destemmed and the grapes, before being crushed, were carefully selected on the sorting table. It is essential that only perfect berries go into the 60 hectoliter (1,580 gallon) conical fermenting tanks where the wine is made. The must was slowly transformed into wine during the fermentation and the phase of skin contact; extreme care is needed in this winemaking phase in order to maintain the freshness and aroma of the grapes without neglecting an extraction of color and a management of the tannins aimed at both sweetness and elegance. Once the wine was run off its skins, the malolactic fermentation in small oak barrels took place, a process which exalted the complexity and pleasure level of the wine. The first part of aging took place in new French oak barrels, 60 gallons in capacity, and lasted ten months. After an initial period of aging in separate lots, the components were blended together and the evolution in oak is completely carried out. Notes from the winemaker An exceptional vintage in terms of quality, characterized, in comparison to 2015, by slightly cool weather conditions and light rains during the growing season. A year in which the balance of the soil and the site were reflected in the wine. A harmonious expression of a Solaia with many facets. A wine which is slightly shyer, introverted, in certain aspects even more fascinating than the previous year, one capable of telling its tale both now and in the years to come.
Historical Data
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.
Tasting notes
An intense ruby red in color, Solaia 2016 distinguishes itself on the nose by its intensity and its aromatic richness, the notes of ripe dark fruit, particularly blackberries and blueberries, fused with balsamic sensations of aromatic herbs and mint; sweet notes of chocolate and cotton candy alternate with spicy suggestions of white pepper, conferring freshness and complexity to the bouquet. The palate is rich and enveloping with supple and silky tannins capable of transmitting elegance, character, and an exceptional expression of fruit. The vibrant finish, long and very persistent, indicates an optimal aging potential over time.
Awards
Wine Advocate 100/100 USA James Suckling 100/100 USA Galloni 99/100 USA Wine Spectator 98/100 USA Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri IT
Climate
After a late fall and winter, on the whole rather mild and rainy, the spring of 2016 began with excellent weather in Chianti Classico, favoring a bud break ten days in advance of seasonal averages. The month of May and the first half of June saw some precipitation but the weather, which was slightly cool, had no influence on the decisive phases of flowering and bud set. The climate was, for the most part, warm up until the end of August, dry and without temperatures peaks, excellent cultivation conditions for maintaining a first-class balance between vegetative production and the grapes, guaranteeing a perfect growth of the crop. The period of picking was regular, with occasional rains alternating with sun and wind, conditions which assisted an ideal process of ripening for the three grape varieties planted in the Solaia vineyard. The harvest of the Sangiovese began during the last week of September. The Cabernet Franc was picked from September 28 to October 1st, while the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest took place from the 3rd to the 12th of October. Total annual rainfall: 41.2 inches Average temperatures, April 1st to October 13th: 66.8 °Fahrenheit Rainfall from April 1st to October 13th: 16.7 inches
The History
Back in 1928, Niccolò Antinori decided to christen this wine Villa Antinori, in honor of the family’s eponymous villa; it was a reflection of his own personal interpretation of Chianti Classico’s and Tuscany’s unique identity.
The Style
Villa Antinori was first crafted in 1928 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori, Piero Antinori’s father, as the Antinori family’s signature wine; an exceptional wine that can represent the family’s history, identity and continuity like no other. “Villa Antinori is a full-blooded Tuscan red […] which grapes are grown, mature and are harvested from our Tuscan estates and then fermented and aged in the Antinori family estates.” Piero Antinori.
The design
The label’s design represents our concept of home, our territory and Tuscany. “The French have châteaux, but we have Villas!” Niccolò Antinori cheerfully explained his choice for the illustration on the front label, an innovative design that broke with more traditional packaging conventions of that time.
In Honor of the Monaldeschi della Cervara Family
The wine’s name honors the Monaldeschi della Cervara family who was the historic owner of Castello della Sala in the XVI century.
An old railway station
The Vignaferrovia vineyard takes its name from a characteristic old nineteenth century railway station still located a short distance from the vines.
Grown in an area with Great Potential
Poggio alle Nane comes from a winegrowing area well known for its production of high quality wines, an area in which both Cabernet and Carménère best express their characteristics.
A red amidst whites
At Castello della Sala, an area historically important for white wines, Pinot Nero offers an authentic and typical expression of its variety with a strong territorial character.
An ancient grape variety
Aleatico, an old and traditional Tuscan grape variety grown since Etruscan times, is able to give a modern expression of itself in this unique territory.
Villa del Cigliano
Villa del Cigliano, located in the gently rolling hillsides of San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence, has always been a symbol of strong family relationships; the villa has watched over the lives of generations of Antinori family members since 1546, the year Alessandro di Niccolò Antinori became the owner of the property.
The Design
The label was designed by Silvio Coppola in 1974 for the release of Tignanello 1971. The idea to commission this artist was discussed at an event at Castello della Sala in 1973. Silvio Coppola was an important Italian graphic and interior designer who was famous for his minimalist lighting fixtures and austere furniture but also for book cover designs for Italian publishing company Feltrinelli. Silvio Coppola was the perfect match for the job.
The Bolgheri Amphitheater
The Guado al Tasso estate’s most characteristic geographic feature is the Bolgheri Amphitheater, a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. The shape of the territory creates a unique microclimate with beneficial temperature fluctuations. The estate’s vineyards are located at the foot of the amphitheater, an optimal position as cold nocturnal breezes cool down the vines. These particular climatic conditions give the grapes pronounced aromas and guarantee a perfect ripening of the berries.
The Barrique
Cervaro della Sala was one of the first Italian white wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques.
The Name
Poggio alle Nane’s name comes from the area where its vines grow. Duck breeding farms once existed and the name “Nane” is local dialect for duck. The vineyards extend from the hillside to the lake that are still part of the property.
Rocky soils
The Vignaferrovia vineyard grows on rocky, gravelly soils, a condition that naturally limits the grapevine’s growth rate and enhances the quality of the berries.
Winding vineyards
The 4 hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero grow along the hillsides shaping the landscape into a series of sinuous terraced vineyards.
A single letter symbol
“A” represents in one single letter the combination of the estate’s initials, Fattoria Aldobrandesca, and the grape’s variety, Aleatico.
The Signature
Marchese Piero Antinori, the current Honorary President, decided to have his father, Niccolò Antinori, sign the label as a sign of recognition for his father’s confidence in him.
Te Duce Proficio
Guado al Tasso added the Antinori family’s historic family crest on the capsules.
The Concept
The idea behind Cervaro della Sala was to craft a white wine able to age over time.
Sea breezes
Southwestern vineyard exposure allows sea breezes to mitigate hot summer temperatures and limit heat spikes.
Understanding nature
The particularly hot climate of Castello della Sala has forced agronomists to invent new ways to protect the grapes from the hot summer sun. The vines’ shoots are allowed to grow in length and are then folded over the plant so its leaves can shade the Pinot Nero grape clusters.
A Pursuit for Balance
“A” was crafted following the family’s pursuit for exceptional balance between Aleatico’s pronounced character and the unique qualities of the estate’s volcanic soils.
Te Duce Proficio
The historic family crest of the Antinori family
A Tribute to the Della Gherardesca Family
Guado al Tasso designed a label with the Della Gherardesca family crest and the initials DG as a tribute to the former estate owners.
The Enologist
In 1985, Renzo Cotarella, who was chief enologist at Castello della Sala at that time, made the first vintage of Cervaro della Sala.
A personal interpretation
The Antinori family wanted to give their own deeply personal interpretation of the historic wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
The Sun
Tignanello’s stylized “Sun” by Silvio Coppola
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
