2019 Marchese Antinori, Solaia - Tuscany IGT - 3 Bottles (0.75L)

Solaia 2019 by Marchese Antinori is crafted from grapes grown in the Solaia vineyard—a 20-hectare plot with a southwest exposure, situated at an altitude of 350 to 400 meters above sea level on the Tenuta Tignanello estate. The soil is rocky and calcareous, characterized by the presence of *alberese* (marly limestone) and *galestro* (schistous clay). The Antinori family first produced this wine with the 1978 vintage, originally using a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. In subsequent vintages, 20% Sangiovese was introduced, with the proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc adjusted accordingly. Solaia is produced only in exceptional years; it was not made in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, or 1992. HARVEST Great care is taken throughout the process—both in the vineyard during harvest and in the cellar. Once harvested, the grapes are destemmed, and the individual berries undergo rigorous selection on a sorting table before being gently crushed and transferred into fermentation tanks via gravity. It is essential that only perfect berries reach the 60-hectoliter truncated-cone fermentation tanks. Fermentation and maceration are managed with the utmost precision to maintain an ideal balance between fruit expression and tannin quality, lending the wine sweetness and fragrance, as well as a distinct identity and character. Immediately following the *svinatura* (draining of the wine from the skins), the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in *barriques*, which enhances its complexity and appeal. The wine is then aged in new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months. Following an initial period of aging in separate lots, the components are blended to complete their maturation in wood. CHARACTERISTICS Solaia 2019 displays a deep ruby-red color. On the nose, it is notable for its complexity and aromatic finesse: notes of small red fruits—specifically raspberry and mulberry—alternate with sweet hints of ripe apricot and blood orange, complemented by delicate floral nuances of rose. Distinct aromas of coffee bean, chocolate, and licorice are perfectly integrated, accompanied by fresh, crisp notes of mint and white pepper, which lend a pleasant, subtle spiciness to the rich bouquet. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and harmonious, with an excellent, well-balanced structure. Sweet, vibrant tannins give it a compact, smooth quality, leading to an extraordinarily long finish. The aftertaste is remarkably persistent, echoing the toasted and spicy notes first perceived on the nose.