Solaia Toscana IGT 2018 Cantine Marchesi Antinori

Solaia 2018 is a red wine with the denomination Tuscany IGT produced with the most selected grapes from the vineyard of the same name, located on the sunniest part of the Tignanello hill. This vineyard, together with that of Tignanello, represents one of the treasures of the Tignanello Estate belonging to the Cantine Marchesi Antinori, located in the heart of the Chianti Classico. The estate extends over 319 hectares of land, of which 127 are vineyards, and enjoys a privileged position on the rolling hills between the Greve and Pesa valleys.

Solaia is a vineyard of about 20 hectares located at Tenuta Tignanello, facing south-west between 350 and 400 meters above sea level. on a calcareous rocky soil with alberese rock and galestro. The first production of Solaia dates back to the 1978 vintage, with an initial blend composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, also maintained for the following vintage. Over the years, some changes have been introduced to the relationship between the varieties, up to the current composition, which also includes 20% Sangiovese. Solaia is only produced in exceptional years and was not produced in some years, including 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1992.

The soils of the vineyards are composed of Pliocene marine marl with limestone and schist, characteristics that give the wines a unique personality. The autochthonous Sangiovese is the main variety used in the production of wines, together with non-traditional varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc strong>. Solaia and Tignanello are considered by the international press to be among the most influential wines in the history of Italian winemaking and represent an ongoing challenge and never-ending passion for the Marchesi Antinori, owners of the estate. The production of Solaia requires not only the best grapes, but also passion, care, attention and research, to obtain a product of the highest quality.
The climate during the 2018 season in the Chianti Classico showed winter regularity both in terms of temperatures and rainfall. However, despite these conditions, the vineyards showed budding earlier than the historical average of the area. During the spring, especially in the month of May, there were frequent rains with slightly lower temperatures than usual, while June and July were characterized by dry and fairly warm weather without extremes. In August there was some rain, while September and October were characterized by a dry and windy period which allowed the grapes to ripen in an ideal way, obtaining a good sugar content and an optimal polyphenolic ripening. The harvest began in the last days of September with the Cabernet Franc, continued with the Sangiovese and ended on October 10 with the Cabernet Sauvignon.

The production of Solaia requires great attention and care, both in the vineyard during the harvest and in the cellar during the vinification. After being carefully selected at the sorting table, the grapes are transferred to the 60 Hl truncated cone-shaped vinification tanks only if they are perfect. During fermentation and maceration, particular attention is paid to the balance between the fruit and the quality of the tannin, in order to enhance the characteristics of sweetness, fragrance and identity of the wine. Malolactic fermentation takes place immediately after racking, in barriques, to enhance the complexity of the wine. Aging takes place in new French oak barrels for about 18 months and, after an initial period in separate lots, the wines are blended to complete the aging in wood.