Antinori - Solaia 2019

JAMES SUCKLING: "This has a complex array of blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, dried herbs, slate, tobacco, olives and charred bark. Some dried roses and iodine, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm yet refined tannins. Powerful, in an understated way. Long. 73% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 20% sangiovese. Try in 2025."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The Marchesi Antinori 2019 Solaia is another blockbuster success from Tuscany's leading wine estate. The blend sees a slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Franc and a slightly lower percentage of Sangiovese. The current mix is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Franc (which has been creeping up in recent years, especially as the climate changes). The soils at the Solaia vineyard are rich in Galestro rock, which is an especially happy pairing with Cabernet Franc in particular. Managing Director Renzo Cotarella tells me that that a vintage like 2019 is proof that the final character of a wine comes from its surrounding territory, not from the blend. This is a generous and extremely expressive edition with lots of dark fruit, spice and sweet tobacco. The tannins are beautifully velvety and soft. This is a beautiful wine that collectors will love."

DECANTER: "Wonderful raspberry and black cherry fragrance on the nose, ripe and sweet and expressive, aromas bursting from the glass. Fleshy and sweet, sticky and full, this is giving a whole load of ripe, plush tannins and powerful fruit but underpinned by bright acidity that keeps things lifted and vibrant. A very serious wine, this is brooding and confident. It's showcasing lots of elements right now - ample, generous, hefty and stylish with flecks of red flowers, white pepper spice, ground coffee, herbs and chocolate. A dark horse at the moment waiting for its moment to fully shine. Individual lots were fermented in 60hl truncated cone-shaped vats, racked with malolactic fermentation beginning in barriques followed by ageing for 18 months in French oak barrels before blending and reput into barrels to complete the process."

WEINWISSER: "Der Solaia 2019 besteht aus 75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Sangiovese und 10 % Cabernet Franc, ausgebaut in 100 % neuen Barriques über 18 Monate. Er verfügt über eine dichte, viskose Farbe und präsentiert sich im Geruch noch sehr verschlossen, mit deutlich karamelligen Aromen und einer schokoladigen Kopfnote. Auch im Mund zeigt er sich noch verhalten, mit gereifter Frucht, Rumtopf-Akzenten, Schokolade, Rosinen und Nüssen. Er verfügt über große Distinktion und Tiefe, mit eher kühl gehaltenen Aromen, trotz aller Süße, die er verströmt. Die Gerbstoffe sind geschliffen und haben eine gute Länge und dennoch entwickelt der Solaia 2019 derzeit noch nicht die erwartete Intensität. Das kann ja noch kommen. 14 vol.-%. Ein verführerischer, typischer Solaia."