Solaia 2018 IGT Toscana rosso ANTINORI

Solaia Toscana IGT 2018

Climate: The 2018 season in Chianti Classico opened with a rather regular winter in terms of both temperatures and rainfall; despite these climatic conditions, the vineyards
began their budding activity a week earlier than the historical average for the area. The spring period, and in particular May, was characterised by frequent rainfall and slightly
lower than usual temperatures, while June and July were dry and fairly warm, without ever experiencing extreme conditions. A few rainfalls in August and a dry and windy
period in September and October allowed the grapes to ripen in an ideal manner, guaranteeing a good sugar content and excellent polyphenolic ripening. The harvest began
in the last days of September with the Cabernet Franc, continued with the Sangiovese and concluded with the Cabernet Sauvignon on 10 October.

Total annual rainfall: 845.9 mm

Average temperature 1 April - 12 October: 20.4 °C

Rainfall 1 April - 12 October: 286 mm

Vinification: Great care was taken, both in the vineyard during harvest and in the cellar, where the grapes were destemmed and the berries, carefully selected at the sorting
table, were transferred after pressing by gravity into the tanks. It is essential that only the perfect grapes reach the 60 hl truncated cone vinification tanks. During
fermentation and maceration, great care was taken to maintain the correct balance between the fruit and the quality of the tannins in order to express to the full the
sweetness, fragrance, identity and character of Solaia. Immediately after racking, malolactic fermentation began in barriques, enhancing the complexity and pleasantness of
the wine. The ageing process took place in new French oak barrels for about 18 months. After an initial period in separate lots, these were blended to complete the
maturation in wood.
Historical data

Solaia is a vineyard of about 20 hectares (12 acres) facing southwest between 350 and 400 meters (1,500 and 1,300 feet) above sea level on a rocky limestone soil with
alberese and galestro rocks, located at Tenuta Tignanello. The Antinori family produced this wine for the first time with the 1978 vintage; the initial blend was 80% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, which was repeated in 1979. In subsequent vintages, 20% Sangiovese was introduced, and some corrections were made to the ratio of
Cabernet Sauvignon to Cabernet Franc, leading to the current composition. Solaia is produced only in exceptional vintages and was not made in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 and
1992.

Tasting notes: Solaia 2018 has an intense ruby red colour. On the nose the intense notes of ripe dark fruit, in particular blueberry and blackcurrant, combine with pleasant
hints of dried flowers and lavender, accompanied by delicate spicy sensations of white pepper and balsamic hints of mint and eucalyptus. Sweet and well-integrated aromas
of white chocolate, candyfloss and dried fruit complete the rich bouquet. On the palate it is enveloping and creamy: the tannins, soft and silky, give a long, persistent and
very elegant finish, with an aftertaste reminiscent of liquorice and recalling the floral and spicy notes perceived on the nose.