Lot presentation

Toscana IGT Solaia Tenuta Tignanello - Marchesi Antinori 1999

The wine

Solaia is a 10 ha south-west facing Tuscan vineyard located at an altitude of 350 to 400 metres in the province of Tignanello. Like Tignanello, Solaia is the work of Piero Antinori, whose family lies at the heart of Tuscany's international reputation notably due to Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Unlike Tignanello, Solaia comprises more Cabernet than it does Sangiovese. But this Tuscan Cabernet stands out from its Bordeaux counterpart, as the 1997 vintage was voted the best wine in the world by the Wine Spectator. The wine is only produced in exceptional years and is processed with the utmost care. It spends the last stages of the fermentation process in barrels of French oak and is blended and aged for a year. Boasting an intense ruby colour, it features a delicate, expressive and menthol nose. Its structure features fruit and delicate tannins, producing a wonderful acidity that hints at excellent ageing.

About the Producer Antinori

Antinori. This true Italian dynasty had been producing wine since 1385.
The family which can trace its history back to 1179 when Accarisio di Antinoro bought land from the Abbey of Passignano. Badia a Passignano is still one of a number of domains found in the group today which is spread out over Tuscany, Umbria, Piedmont, Lombardy, Puglia and even outside of Italy.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the family participated in the Super Tuscan revolution – wine for ageing made in the style of the great Bordeaux. Today, after 26 generations, the story continues with Albiera Antinori who is supported by his sisters, Allegra et Alessia, following their father, Marchese Piero Antinori.
The Italian domains are: TENUTA TIGNANELLO, BADIA A PASSIGNANO, PèPPOLI, ANTINORI NEL CHIANTI CLASSICO, PIAN DELLE VIGNE, TENUTA GUADO AL TASSO, CASTELLO DELLA SALA, MARCHESE ANTINORI – TENUTA MONTENISA, VILLA ANTINORI. The family also has vines outside of Italy in Chili, USA, Hungary, Romania and Malta.