Latest Releases: Solaia 2020

Solaia is the most famous wine from Marchesi Antinori alongside Tignanello. It is sourced from 50 acre (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 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 were made until the team agreed on the current blend. Only produced in exceptional vintage, no wined 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 liked to say.

Solaia was the first Italian wine to be named the ‘world’s number one wine’ by Wine Spectator in 1997 and Giacomo was the first Italian man to receive Decanter’s title ‘man of the year’. His talent and ambition contributed to change the Italian wine industry. The wine is now 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.

Tuscan wines are the ones to watch when it comes to investment. Italy overall has posted impressive price returns in recent years, with Super Tuscans in poll position. Even following the recent price growth, Super Tuscans are still attractively valued compared to their counterparts in Bordeaux. Around 7,000 cases of Solaia are produced annually, four times less than Tignanello. Solaia’s consistent high scores, fantastic ageing potential and small quantity available make it a solid investment.

Solaia 2020

The year 2020 was marked by a hot and dry summer resulting in a powerful Solaia, however it is more balanced than you would expect in a such a vintage, making it opulent and refined all together. 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. Secure your allocation now.

Subtle and beautiful on the nose with currants, flowers and light sage aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised. Classy. Best after 2028. - 98 points James Suckling

Baked black fruit, ripe, fragrant and intense on the nose. Bright and sour fruit on the palate, quite a sharp initial tang from the high acidity before rich, sunny, ripe strawberries and raspberries come into play with liquorice, toast and cedar aspects giving the spiced element to the expression and graphite offering minerality. This is a powerful wine no doubt, bordering on too hedonistic at times - a result of the hot and dry summer, it's sensual, rich and flashy but the sense of control and layers of juicy freshness help balance the opulence with refinement. Clearly confident and charismatic, fans of this style will delight with Solaia in 2020. Made by Renzo Cotarella, Stefano Caraneto and Pietro Dogliani. - 97 points, Decanter

Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red. - 96 points Robert Parker