Cellar Note: Nearly Perfect

~ Tenuta Tignanello in Chianti Classico ~

Just about 20 miles south of Florence lies the 300 acres of  Antinori's Tenuta Tignanello estate; a parcel of land that has given birth to wines that have been called "Milestones in Italian Viticulture".  It's high praise indeed,  but I can't argue with the assertion.  

 

Recently we cracked the Cellar Door to report on the 2001 Solaia, a wine I last checked in  on almost three years ago.

~ The Tignanello Vineyard ~

Solaia means "Sunny One",  and the grapes that go into the wine come from the sunniest parcel on the estate directly adjacent to the Tignanello vineyard, a southwesterly exposed hill of about 25 acres that sits almost 1,300 feet above sea level.  An opposite blend of  its sibling the wine Tignanello,  Solaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 20% Sangiovese.  Only the best grapes are selected for the wine.  

The 2001 Antinori Solaia is simply nothing short of a masterpiece.  It's not like a Bordeaux.  It's not like a Napa Cabernet.  Imagine a cross breed of the best wines from those regions and you get Solaia; bold and aristocratic.  

~ Great wine deserves great food.  A garlic and pepper 3.5 Porterhouse brushed with extra virgin olive oil sits ready for the grill  ~

We decanted the wine for 2 hours and I think it was well worth the effort.   In the decanter the wine is nearly black at almost 15 years of age and it's only slightly lighter in the glass while displaying some violet reflections.  

On the nose the wine exhibits an array of aromas.  From Tuscan scrub brush to crushed, powdery clay. From wild flowers to crushed black plums and cherries.  From sweet pipe tobacco to Christmas spice cake and even a trace of mint.  In short,  profound.  

On the palate the wine is bold, elegant, powerful, silky and suave.  An enormous core of red and black fruits sit center stage while an orchestral assemblage provides ancillary character to this aristocratic red.  Plum, cherry, tobacco, cinnamon, fennel, smoke, spices, leather:  All are present and woven seamlessly.  The tannins, while in check with the Porterhouse still assert themselves without food, and the acidic structure to the wine leaves your palate fresh and revived.  

I've said enough.  All that's left is to await the next opportunity.  Majestic.  99 points.  About $80 upon release.  Current vintages retail for $200+

~  Magnifico! ~

E vero!