2021 Marchesi Antinori 'Solaia' Tuscany
The 2021 Marchesi Antinori 'Solaia' is a ruby red Tuscan masterpiece, offering complex aromas of black currants, blackberries, mint, and white pepper, with sweet hints of cocoa and licorice. On the palate, it's rich and vibrant, with silky tannins and a long, elegant finish featuring dark chocolate. Perfect for aging or enjoying now.
There just aren't many on the level of Piero Antinori. Process this for a moment: He represents the 25th generation in an unbroken string of vintners, beginning in 1385. 26 generations! His family started accumulating knowledge about vineyard and cellar practices when Chaucer was working on The Canterbury Tales. It's difficult to comprehend. His lifetime experience cannot be overstated as he has literally been involved with wine his entire life. In fact, one of his first memories is of German soldiers shooting barrels in his family's cellars as Europe descended into chaos at the end of WWII. He has a truly encyclopedic knowledge of what it means to be a winemaker, and he understands that he is a vital link from his family's past to its future as the Antinori footprint expands across the globe.
Vinous
2021 Marchesi Antinori 'Solaia' Tuscany
Wine Spectator
A deep, dense red, drenched with blackberry, pomegranate, plum and sweet spice flavors. Iron, tobacco and wild herb elements peek through as this plays out on the finish under a strong grip of tannins. Shows terrific balance and length now, yet this should only improve after a few more years in the bottle. Superb. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2047. 7,333 cases made, 634 cases imported.
Wine Advocate
All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September.
James Suckling
This is a beautifully curated Solaia with blackcurrants and raspberries plus lavender and violet undertones. Graphite highlights it all. Just some new wood coming through. It’s full-bodied with fine velvety tannins that run the length of the wine, caressing the palate. Give this three or four years to come around. Best after 2027.