Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Guild of Vintners in 1385, his direct descendants manage the company's viticultural assets to this day, working closely with growers who have been supplying the firm for generations. Solaia is an elite ten hectare site, yielding a single vineyard wine of exceptional concentration and charisma, only ever made in the finest vintage years. The archetypal
super Tuscan, a cepage of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a fifth of Sangiovese and minor portion Cabernet Franc.
Grapes are carefully selected, ensuring the delivery of perfect bunches to the winery. Harvesting is done strictly by hand and great attention is paid to the vinification. A course of delestage and pumpovers are aimed at preserving the varietal aromas and intense colour. Following completion of ferments at 27C to 31C, parcels are racked and transferred to barriques for malolactic by year's end. Components are matured in new French oak for eighteen months. Individual barrels are closely monitered, the evolution of each is followed to ensure elegance and integration, the best are assembled into the final wine and bottled for a further year of ageing before release.
TASTING NOTESIntense ruby colour. Fruity, intense arama, sweet with notes of ripe Cabernet achieving a strong individual identity. In the mouth the tannins are soft, gentle and harmonious. Very complex with a solid, full bodied structure, the varietal notes are dominant and work together to indulge the palate with a long and wonderfully persistent finish.