Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2021 1.5L Magnum

Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2021 is a majestic, full-bodied Super Tuscan crafted from a prized 20-hectare, southwest-facing vineyard on the Tenuta Tignanello estate in the heart of Chianti Classico. Displaying a deep ruby-red color with purplish reflections, it reveals an extraordinarily complex bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, and dark plums, seamlessly intertwined with nuances of mint, white pepper, cocoa, and graphite. On the palate, it delivers impressive concentration and energy, showing fine, silky tannins and well-integrated oak that guide a vibrant core of dark fruit toward an exceptionally long, persistent finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs magnificently with Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roasted rack of lamb, braised beef short ribs, wild boar ragù, or well-aged Pecorino Toscano cheese.

98 Points - James Suckling

Sophisticated and full of finesse. Medium- to full-bodied with racy, super silky tannins that go on for minutes. Blackberries and blackcurrants with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Such beautiful tannins. Racy and fine. Give it five or six years before drinking.

98 Points - Wine Spectator

A deep, dense red, drenched with blackberry, pomegranate, plum and sweet spice flavors. Iron, tobacco and wild herb elements peek through as this plays out on the finish under a strong grip of tannins. Shows terrific balance and length now, yet this should only improve after a few more years in the bottle. Superb. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2047.

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September.