2020 Antinori Solaia (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Among a handful of wines with a reputation so epic they are known by a single name, Solaia is the legendary Cabernet Sauvignon blend crafted by Marchesi Antinori that along with its sister wine Tignanello helped create a whole new category of wines known as Super Tuscans, garnering unanimous critical acclaim for over four decades and the first Italian wine to earn the #1 spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 back in 1997. Conveyed in perfect provenance with pristine cellar aging, these Solaia selections come from the top vintages of the last 15 years, some ready to enjoy now and all promising a thrilling evolution over the next several decades.

First created as an experiment in 1978 when the vineyards for Tignanello produced an excess of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Solaia is a uniquely Tuscan blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese and a small amount of Cabernet Franc, grown at the Antinori family’s Tenuta Tignanello estate in the rolling hills of Chianti Classico. Named for its southwestern exposure ideally angled to capture the sun’s rays (Solaia translates as “a place where the energy of the sun radiates”), the vineyard for Solaia spans 20 hectares on a hillside located between 350 and 400 meters above sea level, the vines planted in a stony mix of albarese and galestro producing richly concentrated grapes. Fermenting each varietal separately in stainless steel and aging it in 100% new French oak, winemaker Renzo Cotarella believes Solaia starts to express its true personality at 10 years of age, many of these selections now at the beginning of their long window of enjoyment. Described as a “voluptuous, racy turn-on” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous “with a long drinking window of pure pleasure,” the 97 pt. 2007 Solaia offers “vibrant fruit and bright acidity” according to James Suckling, while the “mesmerizing” 98 pt. 2010 Solaia is a “towering masterpiece” according to critic Galloni, calling it “one of the all-time legendary Solaias.” Ranking it his #1 Italian Wine of the Year, James Suckling believes the dazzling 100 pt. 2015 Solaia might be “the greatest ever,” promising three decades of longevity “with the best yet to come” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson. Also scoring a perfect 100 pt. dual rating and both vintages available in cellar worthy magnums as well as 750 ml., the Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe describes the massive 100 pt. 2016 Solaia as “smooth and balanced, with bright acidity and polished tannins” while Jane Anson of Inside Bordeaux calls the rich 97 pt. 2017 Solaia “silky” noting its “dark fruit feel and savory rippling tannins.” Speaking to the “stunning beauty and pedigree” of Antinori’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Antonio Galloni describes the “mesmerizing “ 98 pt. 2018 Solaia as a blend of “striking purity and exceptional beauty” while the 98 pt. 2019 Solaia offers “terrific balance, vigor and excruciating length” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson that the Wine Advocate’s Monica Larner calls “a beautiful wine that collectors will love.”

All from truly legendary vintages and credited with “redefining Italian wine” by the Wine Spectator, these Solaia selections present a rare opportunity to acquire exceptional back vintages of this highly allocated Super Tuscan, guaranteed to become the focal point of any collection with years of evolution ahead if only you can keep from opening them, which in that case, any regrets you might have will melt away with the first sip.

98JS

98JA

97V

97WS

96WA

Subtle and beautiful on the nose with currants, flowers and light sage aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely polished and poised. Classy. Best after 2028.

98 points, James Suckling (Aug 2023)

A great vintage of the iconic Solaia, full of cloves, sage, graphite, grilled dried herbs, underbrush and roasted cherry pit. There's fruit too, bilberry and cassis, juicy and mouthwatering, both understated and exuberant, ensuring a Tuscan fingerprint despite its majority Cabernet Sauvignon construction. Has grip and length, and effortless charm, reflecting an excellent vintage with low yields after a hot dry summer. Antinori family showing once again why this wine, that comes from 20ha the sunniest slopes of the Tignanello estate, set at 350-400m altitude, is so hard to resist. Winemaking director Renzo Cotarella.

98 points, Jane Anson (Aug 2023)

The 2020 Solaia is an infant. I expected a more exuberant wine, but the 2020 is built along more classic lines. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, smoke, pencil shavings and spice all open effortlessly. As always, Solaia is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, but it is a Cabernet that is distinctly Italian, with plenty of Tuscan acid and structure driving through the mid-palate and into the finish. The 2020 is a terrific example of the recent stylistic shift at Antinori. In the past, richness and opulence were qualities of a vintage that would have been amplified in the vineyard and cellar. Today, the aim is to capture a more balanced expression of these kinds of vintages, and that very much comes through.

97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2023)

Dripping with black currant, blackberry, black cherry, iron and toasty oak flavors, this red is suave and polished. Features flashes of tobacco and wild herbs that add even more detail as this builds to a long, kaleidoscopic finish. Presents civilized tannins that are well-integrated and provide structure. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045. From Italy.

97 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Oct 2022)

Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red.

96 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (May 2023)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%

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$359.98

Compare At: $399.99

8 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 3

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