Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2022

The Wine

Solaia is one of the world's great wines. The 1997 Solaia became the first Italian wine ever named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year. Produced by Marchesi Antinori, it is a quintessential Super Tuscan from within the Tenuta Tignanello estate in the heart of Chianti Classico. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller portion of Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. The name translates to "the sunny one", a reference to the single vineyard from which it comes: roughly 20 hectares on southwest-facing slopes at 350 to 400 metres, on limestone-rich alberese and galestro soils. Matured in French oak barriques followed by further ageing in bottle before release, the 2022 is more elegant than powerful and more approachable than usual, with stunning concentration and complexity: subtle cassis, toast, herbs and a refreshing balsamic touch, a full body, velvety texture and a sleek, polished aftertaste with sweet tobacco flavors. James Suckling awards 98 points and Decanter 98 points. Made in relatively small quantities of around 7,500 cases, Solaia is a blue-chip wine that will age for 20+ years. The fine wine market has been depressed for the last three years but is showing signs of recovery, and the 2022 has only recently been released.