Description

2009 Antinori Solaia

The season in the Chianti Classico production zone was characterized by an autumn and the following winter which were both cold and wet; winter rains guaranteed good and useful water reserves in the ground during the first part of spring, which was initially mild, without any return of winter cold. The bud break in the vineyard, accordingly, was a regular one and took place well within seasonal averages for the period; rain arrived in June and during the first days of the month of July and pushed the development of the vine vegetation. Flowering and bud set were also regular, even if the rains just cited influenced the size of the berries and the bunches, which began the summer well ahead in their ripening rhythm.

The vines continued to vegetate quite abundantly during the summer months and then encountered a very hot and dry August and an initial ten days of September. Despite these conditions, the second half of September and the entire month of October enjoyed very favorable weather both in terms of the continuing warmth of the days and of the important temperature swings from daytime heat to evening and nighttime coolness. Both the Sangiovese and the Cabernet required a lengthy period on the vine to acquire full ripeness and finesse, to the point that picking took place principally during the first twenty days of October. The quality of the harvested grapes brought to the cellars was very high indeed, both in terms of their healthiness and, above all, of their ripeness and balance, raising expectations of a vintage of exceptional level.

Awards

I Vini Di Veronelli 2013 Super Tre Stelle Italy

Associazione Italiana Sommelier “Duemilavini 2013” Guide 5 Grappoli Italy

Annuario L. Maroni 90/100 Italy

Wine Spectator 95/100 USA

Wine Enthusiast 97/100 + Cellar Selection USA

Wine Advocate 96+/100 USA

Antonio Galloni 96+/100 USA

Vinum 18/20 Italy

Falstaff 95/100 Austria

James Suckling 96/100 USA

Int Wine Cellar 93+/100 USA