2018 Marchesi Antinori Solaia

Vibrant black currant, violet, vanilla and toasty oak flavors are the hallmarks of this classy red, which is succulent and balanced, with fine grip and a long, fruit-, iron- and spice-tinged aftertaste. More on the elegant side than powerful, yet this would benefit from an additional two to three years aging. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2040. 500 cases imported.

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc. Very deep ruby colour. Spicy leather and cassis on the nose, there is a spirity quality here that is distracting from the fruit. This follows on the palate, which shows some hollow heat at this time. There is a raisined quality to the fruit that is slightly awkward against notes of woody herbs. Spicy oak pushes through to the finish. My hope is that this is just in an awkward place at this moment, but the overall impression is disjointed. (TP)

The Marchesi Antinori 2018 Solaia reveals a silky and elegant personality, and the wine steps away from some of the more robust fruit weight and dark concentration that we've seen in the past. This elegant vintage prizes fruit purity and focus with black plum, cassis, blue flower, pencil shaving and lots of sweet spice from the oak that recalls clove and toasted almond. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. The fruit is harvested at the Antinori family's Tenuta Tignanello at the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. The percentage of Cabernet Franc used in the blend is the ultimate Solaia wild card. In this vintage, the Franc has been increased to 7%, and that number is expected to be even higher in 2019 as the vines get older and the fruit more complex. Production of Solaia is 65,000 bottles in this vintage. This is a beautiful wine, but if pressed I must admit a preference for the 2018 Tignanello (the other celebrated wine crafted at this property). The 2018 Solaia is delicious on all fronts as expected, but the 2018 Tignanello struck at my heart strings. Either way, these are stunning results.