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Solaia 2017 is an intense, deep ruby red color. Its nose is impressive with intense notes of dark, ripe fruit with scents of blackberries, black currants with balsamic hints of fresh mint and myrtle. Its bouquet is completed by refined spicy aromas of white pepper, toasted cinnamon and cocoa powder. Its palate is rich and mouth-filling; soft, velvety, vibrant tannins impart a lengthy finish and persistent aftertaste where toasty notes reappear and accent the finish.
Wine Description
The Story
When the initial production of Solaia began, the grape source was a parcel within the larger Tignanello vineyard. The same special characteristics as the original vineyard – altitude, soil, and exposure to the sun (which accounts for the name of the parcel and the wine: “Solaia” derives from sole, the Italian word for the sun) are also to be found in a nearby vineyard plot which, since 1997, has been integrated into the original vineyard. The Solaia vineyard, currently, consists of 20 hectares (49 acres) and is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (15 hectares), Cabernet Franc (1 hectar) and Sangiovese (4 hectares); the vines have an average of fifteen years. Vine density ranges from 5,500 to 7,200 per hectare and a low, spurred-cordon training system is used. Over the years there has been a progressive renewal of the Solaia vineyard. This has been accomplished by utilizing the many years of experience and the more extensive knowledge of the estate’s land to further bring out the personality of Solaia as a wine.
The Marchesi Antinori firm produced this wine for the first time in the 1978 vintage with an initial blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, a blend repeated again in 1979. In the following vintages 20% of Sangiovese was added to the Cabernet grapes and the ratio of Cabernet Franc to Cabernet Sauvignon was changed in order to create a wine which has now become definitive in its various composing elements. Solaia is only produced in exceptional vintages: it was not produced in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1992. In 2002 the Sangiovese did not achieve satisfactory quality for Solaia: only Cabernet grapes were used. This vintage is known as “annata diversa” (different vintage).
Wine Information
The 2017 growing season will be remembered for its highly unusual weather conditions. Winter was relatively moderate registering cold temperatures only during the month of January. Mild weather persisted throughout the season prompting early bud break. A sudden drop in temperatures at the end of April caused slightly smaller yields. From the month of May throughout all of August the Chianti Classico area experienced hot, dry weather with daily temperatures often exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). September rain showers partially counter balanced summer vine stress allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness. Harvesting took place from September 20th to October 6th.
The 2017 vintage will be remembered for its unusual weather conditions, marked by lower yields and relatively dry climate trends. In vintages as peculiar as this one, experience and a thorough understanding of the vineyard play an even more important role. If the 2016 vintage is timid and introverted, Solaia 2017 expresses right away its outgoing personality. Rich, intense and mouth-filling it preserves the elegance and balance that have always defined Solaia’s unique style.
