Solaia is the most famous wine from Marchesi Antinori alongside Tignanello. This year is particularly exciting as the 2021 is referred as the best vintage overseen by Renzo Cotarella who declared it as an exceptional year. This was reinforced by Antonio Galloni who gave it the perfect 100 points.
Solaia’s Story
The first vintage was made by the Antinori family in 1978 with an initial blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, same as 1979. The following years, 20% of Sangiovese was introduced and adjustment are made year on year. Only produced in exceptional vintage, no wine was made in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1992. Only the very best grapes from the very best vineyard are used. All the rest is passion, utmost care, and research, as winemaker Giacomo Tachis (the first Italian man to receive Decanter’s title ‘man of the year’) liked to say.
Vineyard & Winemaking
Solaia is sourced from a 50 acres (20 hectare) vineyard with a southwestern exposure located at an altitude between 1150 and 1325 feet (350-400 meters) above sea level, planted on stony soil of “alberese” (hard limestone) and “galestro” (flaky calcareous clay) rock.
The wine is fermented in conical wood vats for a softer extraction of sweet rather than green tannins while allowing skin contact for a longer period adding greater complexity. Recently, a small percentage of Cabernet Franc has been added to add a touch of spice. Aged in French oak barrels for approximately 18 months, the various lots were aged separately then blended and reintroduced into barrels to complete the aging process.
What We Think
Solaia was the first Italian wine to be named the ‘world’s number one wine’ by Wine Spectator in 1997. Its consistent high scores, fantastic ageing potential and small quantity available make it a collector dream. Around 7,000 cases of Solaia are produced annually, four times less than Tignanello. As a result, an allocation is hard to secure. With the 2021 receiving the perfect 100 points, no doubt demand will be high.
Solaia 2021 - The Scores
Antinori’s 2021 Solaia is another wine that captures all of the potential I sensed when I tasted it some months ago. More than anything else, the 2021 is a fine example of the style Antinori favors these days, an approach that favors finesse more than opulence. Dark plum, mocha, licorice, chocolate, spice, lavender and menthol build effortlessly in the glass. Oak and tannin are impeccably balanced. - 100 points Vinous
This is a beautifully curated Solaia with blackcurrants and raspberries plus lavender and violet undertones. Graphite highlights it all. Just some new wood coming through. It’s full-bodied with fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine, caressing the palate. Give this three or four years to come around. Best after 2027. - 97 points, James Suckling
All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September. - 97 points Robert Parker