SOLAIA 2017

Solaia 2017
Toscana IGT

“The Marchesi Antinori 2017 Solaia offers a uniquely floral personality with wild rose and lilac that comes as a surprise, especially if you are expecting the more robust and opulent dark fruit associated with this vintage. To use a word that is popular now, the aromas are absolutely lifted. This is a bouquet-driven wine, showing great oak choices that are synergistic with the light and considerably thinner palate. Dried or pressed flowers cede to cherry, blueberry, some red meat char and a light touch of cinnamon. My impression is that the dry extract from the oak ultimately plays a bigger role in the overall flavor profile, preserving its red fruit core nevertheless. The wine is very accessible in terms of mouthfeel, showing a comparatively thinner and shorter approach. With more time in the glass, it offers some of the white soil dust that is a standard Solaia signature.”  – 95/100, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

VARIETIES: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 8% Cabernet Franc
REGION: Italy / Central Italy / Toscana
AGEING: Aging took place in new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months. The different lots were first barrel aged separately, then blended and continued to gracefully evolve in the barrel completing the aging process
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or will cellar well up to 25 years ±
SERVE: Serve slightly chilled, at 16ºC – 18ºC
FITS TO: Pair well with Salsiccia e fagioli / Bistecca alla Fiorentina or regional cheeses such as Pecorino
CRITICS SCORES: D/97, WE/96, WS/95, RP/95

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Solaia 2017 | Vintage | Marchesi Antinori S.p.A

The Wine
The sunniest part of the Tignanello’s hillside is home to the Solaia vineyard. The very best grapes from the very best vineyard. All the rest is passion, the utmost care and research. These are the secrets of Solaia together with the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese grapes from its namesake vineyard.

Climate
The 2017 growing season will be remembered for its highly unusual weather conditions. Winter was relatively moderate registering cold temperatures only during the month of January. Mild weather persisted throughout the season prompting early bud break. A sudden drop in temperatures at the end of April caused slightly smaller yields. From the month of May throughout all of August the Chianti Classico area experienced hot, dry weather with daily temperatures often exceeding 30 °C (86 °F).  September rain showers partially counter balanced summer vine stress allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness. Harvesting took place from September 20th to October 6th.

Vinification
Heightened focus was given both in the vineyards during harvesting operations and in the cellar. Grapes were destemmed, meticulously selected on sorting tables, delicately crushed then transferred by gravity flow into vats. It was imperative that only the finest berries reached the 60 Hl truncated cone shaped fermentation tanks. During fermentation and maceration on the skins, it was essential to maintain the right balance between fruit and quality of the tannins enhancing their sweetness and aromas, especially important taking into consideration the peculiar nature of this vintage. Once the wine and skins were separated, malolactic fermentation occurred in small oak barrels to enhance the complexity and pleasantness of the wine. Aging took place in new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months. The different lots were first barrel aged separately, then blended and continued to gracefully evolve in the barrel completing the aging process.

Tasting notes
Solaia 2017 is an intense, deep ruby red color. Its nose is impressive with intense notes of dark, ripe fruit with scents of blackberries, black currants with balsamic hints of fresh mint and myrtle. Its bouquet is completed by refined spicy aromas of white pepper, toasted cinnamon and cocoa powder. Its palate is rich and mouth-filling; soft, velvety, vibrant tannins impart a lengthy finish and persistent aftertaste where toasty notes reappear and accent the finish.