Reviews & Scores
Granite, black cherry, iodine, burnt meat and dark chocolate. Complete and satisfying, although the alcohol runs hot on the finish. Rich and syrupy texture. Divine complexity.
JR18/20October 2019
Plums and chocolate plus hints of rose petals on the nose. Full-bodied and very ripe. Spicy and intense with so much fruit and energy. Bigger style. Drink or hold.
JS94May 2017
The 2009 Antinori Solaia is similar to the 2007 in its volume and richness, but it is less extroverted. This is another gorgeous Solaia that will drink well pretty much during its entire life. The warm year yielded a racy Solaia with no hard edges and fabulous overall balance.
VM96December 2013
Like its sunshine-inspired name suggests, Solaia is an opulent and generous achievement that represents the highest pedigree in Italian wine. The intensity is mind-blowing and the wine peels back slowly to reveal thick layers of blackberry, chocolate fudge, spice and general fruit decadence. The mouthfeel is super smooth yet powerful, delivered in the most elegant fashion. *Cellar Selection*
WE97August 2013
A pretty red, boasting floral, cherry, black currant, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors. The firm structure is assertive now, both acidity and tannins, but the sweet fruit and spice flavors persist and grace the long finish. *Collectibes*
WS95April 2013
Deep ruby-red. Pungent, brooding aromas of cassis, blackberry jelly, licorice, clove, bay leaf and violet; very aromatic and very cabernet sauvignon. Dense, highly concentrated and seamless, with good verve thanks to harmonious acidity that lifts the dark fruit and aromatic cedar flavors. Finishes with superripe, fine, toothcoating tannins, a hint of alcoholic warmth and great persistence. A very aromatic, tactile and smooth Solaia, in a slightly warmer style owing to the hot vintage but with a refinement lacking in the Tignanello of the same year; you can tell the grapes come from a select portion of vines within the Tignanello vineyard. This ought to develop splendidly in bottle and has great potential.
ST93September 2012
The 2009 Solaia is one of the clear standouts of the vintage. Freshly cut flowers, raspberries, spices, mint and licorice burst from the glass as this fabulous, viscerally thrilling wine shows off its pure class. Today the oak is a bit prominent, but that won’t be an issue by the time the wine is ready to drink. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 Solaia was flat-out great. There is no shortage of pedigree here. The 2009 has calmed down a little from its youth, when it was a much more exuberant wine, and has now begun to close down in bottle. Solaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc from a single parcel within the Antinori family’s Tignanello vineyard.
WA96June 2012