Antinori, ‘Solaia’ 2016

Critics

“Speechless here. I thought the 2015 was already perfect but this is perfect, too. But in a different way. It is so structured and multidimensional. Full-bodied, powerful and intense with incredible tannin backbone and depth. The dark-berry, wet-earth, oyster-shell and mushroom flavors are phenomenal. 20% less production than 2015. Give it four or five years to come together. Try after 2025.” – 100 Pts, James Suckling

“I fussed over scoring this wine more than I’d like to admit—tasting through three samples under different conditions at various intervals and testing my impressions blind against wines in its peer group. Most importantly, I tasted this 2016 vintage against the 2015 vintage over and over again. I confess to a few nights of restless sleep as a result. Ultimately, my decision to award 100 points to the 2016 Solaia came on impulse and with the most natural sense of purpose. I had also given the 2015 vintage a perfect score, and intellectually, it seemed impossible not to pick a favorite among these two stunning expressions. I will also state, outright, that the wines are very different, principally because the 2015 vintage shows more overall opulence and sweetness that extends to the pronounced textural richness of the mouthfeel. The 2016 vintage, on the other hand, is more chiseled and sharp with mineral shadings of campfire ash and graphite at the rim of its dark fruit. The mouthfeel is more streamlined and tight at its core, suggesting that the wine will unfold and soften beautifully with time. I feel like 2015 is the Dolce & Gabbana of the situation and the 2016 is the Armani Privé. The personalities of the two wines are distinct, yet my admiration for each is identical.” – 100 Pts, Wine Advocate

Producer

An intense ruby red in colour, at times impenetrably so, the 2011 Solaia shows intensely warm aromas which reflect the climate of the season while maintaining a delicate freshness as well. On the palate, the ripe red fruit and the spices, along with deep and floral notes, define the wine’s complex structure. The palate is succulent, rich, enveloping, and sweet thanks to the presence of dense, supple, and rounded tannins. The vibrant acidity contributes to the excellent expressiveness of the flavours and to a highly pleasurable, long, and persistent finish and aftertaste.

Antinori is a name synonymous with wine in Italy, the equivalent of the royal family of wine in the country. Intimately involved in the wine industry of Italy since 1385, initially in Tuscany, but in more recent years their influence has grown, seeing them involved in wine-making projects across the country. They were instrumental in the renaissance of Chianti and their portfolio of wines includes some stellar names such as Tignanello – the Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend that was most influential in the Super Tuscan movement, and Solaia – the Cabernet dominant blend also from the Tignanello estate, and the beautiful Peppoli Chianti Classico.