Antinori Solaia 2013

A very intense ruby red with purple highlights, the 2013 Solaia shows aromas of ripe red fruit, pleasurably fresh and vibrant, accompanied by balsamic sensation of liquorice and mint. Hints of vanilla and smoke on the aromatic close fuse with an intense spiciness to create a powerful impact. The palate, initially elegant, becomes full bodied with tannins of much shape and solidity. The finish and aftertaste are quite complex with their expressive notes of black fruit and chocolate along with an excellent savor and vigor.

The winter of 2013 and the preceding autumn were characterized by above average rainfall and by temperatures which were not particularly cold, with the exception of one week during the month of February when there was heavy snowfall as well. Spring began with a climate which was much like the preceding months, determining important delays in bud burst, but despite this fact the successive phases of flowering and bud set saw normal growth and development. May and June were cool and rainy, assisting vegetative growth in the vineyard, while July and August were warm and dry, but without excessive peak temperatures, and the vines continued working, recovering a large part of the delay which had previously accumulated. Ideal weather marked the month of September and the first half of October, the harvest period – in addition to continuing warmth during the day, there were significant temperature swings between this daytime heat and evening and nighttime coolness. This assisted in bringing the different grape varieties to a full and complete levels of ripeness. Picking began during the last week of September, later than usual as a harvest. The excellent weather brought out all the quality of the Cabernet Franc, picked between September 28th and 30th, while the Sangiovese was picked during the first week of October. The Cabernet Sauvignon crop was brought to the cellar between October 7th and 16th under climatic conditions which were absolutely perfect for the quality of the fruit.

Solaia is a 50 acre (20 hectare) vineyard with a southwestern exposure located at an altitude between 1150 and 1325 feet (350-400 meters) above sea level and with a stony soil of “alberese” (hard limestone) and “galestro” (flaky calcareous clay) rock. The vineyard is located at the Tignanello estate. The Antinori family produced this wine for the first time in the year 1978, and the initial blend was 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc, a formula repeated in 1979 as well. In the following years, 20% of Sangiovese was introduced and certain adjustments were also made in the rapport between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc until the current blend was settled upon. Solaia is produced only in exceptional vintage, and was not produced in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1992. James Suckling 97/100 USA Daniele Cernilli 97/100 Italy Antonio Galloni 94+/100 USA Wine Advocate 97+/100 USA