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.
A great vintage of the iconic Solaia, full of cloves, sage, graphite, grilled dried herbs, underbrush and roasted cherry pit. There's fruit too, bilberry and cassis, juicy and mouthwatering, both understated and exuberant, ensuring a Tuscan fingerprint despite its majority Cabernet Sauvignon construction. Has grip and length, and effortless charm, reflecting an excellent vintage with low yields after a hot dry summer. Antinori family showing once again why this wine, that comes from 20ha the sunniest slopes of the Tignanello estate, set at 350-400m altitude, is so hard to resist.
The 2020 Solaia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to bring out notes of warm cassis, black cherry compote, and black raspberries, followed by hints of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, violets, and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich, bold black fruits, supported by a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and jaw-dropping tension, finishing long and lifted.
The 2020 Solaia is an infant. I expected a more exuberant wine, but the 2020 is built along more classic lines. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, smoke, pencil shavings and spice all open effortlessly. As always, Solaia is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, but it is a Cabernet that is distinctly Italian, with plenty of Tuscan acid and structure driving through the mid-palate and into the finish. The 2020 is a terrific example of the recent stylistic shift at Antinori. In the past, richness and opulence were qualities of a vintage that would have been amplified in the vineyard and cellar. Today, the aim is to capture a more balanced expression of these kinds of vintages, and that very much comes through.
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.
Technical Details
Blend70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Franc
98 POINTS from perhaps the most historic producer in all of Italy, this newest release of Antinori’s revered Solaia is a collectible gem that is worthy of a spot in any Italian collection. We have about three cases available (and exactly TWO magnums), so don’t hesitate to make these the newest stars in your portfolio! Over $120 OFF makes this impossible to ignore!
The Antinori family has made wine in the picturesque rolling hills of Tuscany for nearly 700 years. Solaia is the family’s iconic “Super-Tuscan” offering, with the 2020 vintage comprised mostly of cabernet sauvignon, followed by sangiovese and cabernet franc. The fruit hails from the sunniest and most exposed part of the legendary hillside of Tignanello, tucked in the heart of the Chianti Classico region.
This is the latest vintage of one of the rarest bottlings in Tuscany, described as "the most influential wine in the history of Italian viticulture." As we can attest, the complexity, power, and finesse of the 2020 is simply astounding. Marchesi Piero Antinori marks Solaia as an ongoing challenge and a never-ending passion of the people who dedicate their lives to the creation of this singular wine – and the world of wine can attest to the heralded status of this great bottling.
The 2020 vintage is as fully loaded as ever – with the ability to age over the decades, and a decidedly Tuscan flare to the cabernet sauvignon dominant wine. Aromas of lavender, and cassis, with flecks of cherry and roasted herbs, lead things off, followed by spice box flavors of clove, and star anise, with savory notes of sun-ripened black plum, and iron, graphite, and roasted sage. A bit of espresso and black pepper pops on the finish, and the dry, structured finality of the wine demonstrates a clear need to give patience here. It’s a long and beautiful life to come to be certain, but allow to sit for a year yet for the best enjoyment (and then pick your sweet spot for any time in the next 25 years!). We don’t have much – but a wine of this pedigree is sure to catch the eye of every Italian collector on the web...so move with purpose and you will be rewarded!
PAIRING IDEAS: The King of Steaks is the match here – and nothing but a Bistecca alla Fiorentina will do! Live fire is critical to get that unmatched char and flavor, and a little brush of rosemary and some good olive oil will take this to the next level. Plenty of good, flaky salt to finish, and for heaven’s sake – rest this properly to keep all that juicy goodness!
About the Producer
The Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has lived in Tuscany since the 14th century and celebrated its 635th anniversary as wine makers in 2020. The current company president, Marchese Piero Antinori, believes in the tradition that the primary role of wine is to accompany food and enhance the dining experience. In Florence, the Antinori family has led a "Renaissance" in Italian wine making by combining long traditions, a love of authenticity and a dynamic innovative spirit. From the sunniest part of the Tignanello hill comes the Solaia Toscana IGT. Solaia, along with Tignanello, have been defined as "the most influential wines in the history of Italian viticulture." According to Marchesi Antinori, Solaia is an ongoing challenge and a never ending passion.
