SOLAIA
Since 1385, 27 generations of the Antinori family have produced world-class
traditional and innovative wines like Solaia in Tuscany and Umbria, making
Marchesi Antinori the premier wine-producing family of Italy for over 600 years.
Antinori's award winning wines are produced at five vineyard estates, or tenute
as they are called in Italian, while the family has worked and lived in Palazzo
Antinori in the center of Renaissance Florence since 1506.
"The Antinori Family
has contributed significantly to the 'Renaissance'of Italian wines. This
innovative spirit remains today at the core of the Antinori philosophy."
"Our aim
is to maximize the undiscovered potential in wine-making while ensuring that we
safeguard the wealth of tradition, culture and taste which give Solaia its
unique identity. Our aim is therefore to produce wines with improved style
without, however, losing their individual character. We want to avoid the risk
of producing wines that may are imitations of wines from other countries. Our
objective is to produce wines with a well defined personality making their
origins unmistakable. "
"In order to improve and select our 'noble' regional grape
varieties, we are committed to a long term program of investments. Now, more
than ever, our best efforts are centered on viticulture with the aim of
achieving these exciting objectives."
Orginating from the Solaia vineyard which is
situated next to the Tignanello vineyard, Solaia is a combination of Cabernet
Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Sangiovese (20%).
Aging:
Approximately
2 years in oak 'barriques' of 225 liters, the wine remains in the bottle for another
year before release.
Taste:
Intense fruit, elegant structure with soft tannin
and clear varietal flavor. Powerful with lingering finish.
The personality and
aging potential of the wine comes from the Cabernet, while the Sangiovese grape
gives Solaia elegance and finesse. Solaia is produced in extremely limited
quantities.
Top Solaia Vintages produced:
1997, 1985, 1999, 1990