Classification:
Toscana IGT
Blend:
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 20%
Sangiovese
Climate:
The beginning of spring, marked by some
rainfall and temperatures slightly above seasonal
averages, favored bud break in the
various varieties a few days earlier than average. The climate, however, led to
excellent flowering and fruit set.
The rainfall that characterized the first part of
the summer allowed for the maintenance of a good vegetative balance of the plants even in
August, and indeed, a complete
veraison of all varieties was observed. The excellent fruit set
however, resulted in a higher grape load on the
vines than desired to achieve a production in line
with our quality standards. For this reason, in
August, all the vines were subjected to a careful selection and thinning of the
excess crop.
In the first part of September, the weather was particularly favorable, and the
ripening of the grapes occurred optimally.
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Solaia / 1998

Vinification:
The grapes from the Solaia vineyard, which are rigorously selected, are among the last to
be harvested (beginning on September 25th for the Cabernets and a week later for the Sangiovese).
The grapes were destemmed and softly pressed and vinified separately using new
methods that guarantee a very gentle processing technique. Maceration took place in
50hl wooden vats (where periodic punching down is performed to achieve a
better extraction of color, complexity, and tannins). During this period (15 days for the
Sangiovese and 20 days for the Cabernet), the wine also completed alcoholic fermentation at
a temperature no higher than 30°C. The wine was then transferred to new barriques (Alliers &
Troncais) where, by the end of the year, it completed malolactic fermentation.
The wine was then racked for a careful blending of the different varietals and
returned to barriques where it remained for approximately 14 months, after which it was
bottled. It was then aged in bottle for at least 12 months before
being released to the market.
Alcohol: 13.5% Vol.
Historical data:
Solaia is a 10-hectare vineyard with southwest exposure, located between 350 and 400 meters above sea level, on rocky
calcareous soil and alberese rock. It is located near Tignanello, adjacent to the vineyard of the same name,
on the same property in the Mercatale Val di Pesa area of ??Chianti Classico. Antinori first produced this wine in the 1978 vintage; the initial blend was 80% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, a blend repeated in 1979. In subsequent vintages, 20% Sangiovese was
introduced, and some adjustments were made to the Cabernet
Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc ratio, until reaching the current blend. Solaia is produced only
in exceptional years and was not produced in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1992.
Tasting notes:
Intensely fruity and complex; it has a solid structure, well-balanced, with soft tannins and a
persistent finish. It displays an unmistakable varietal character while retaining a
strong regional identity.