2021 Solaia

Name: 2021 Solaia
Brand: Solaia
SKU: ANT-C21-750
Price: 74200.0 JPY
Availability: InStock

Cabernet-Sangiovese

Italy / Tuscany / Chianti Classico

¥74,200

RP 97

V 100

Size:

750 mL
3-Pack OWC 750 mL

Quantity:

Availability: 9

2021 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

History and General Information

Solaia is one of Italy’s most iconic wines, crafted by the Antinori family, whose winemaking heritage dates back to 1385. First produced in 1978, Solaia originates from a vineyard on the Tignanello estate in Tuscany, known for its exceptional sun exposure—hence the name Solaia, meaning "the sunny one." Initially, the wine was an experimental blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, marking a departure from traditional Tuscan winemaking. Only in later vintages did the Antinori family introduce Sangiovese into the blend, further defining Solaia’s unique character.

Originally spanning 10 hectares, the vineyard has since expanded to 20 hectares, allowing for greater refinement and consistency in production. Over the years, Solaia has gained worldwide acclaim, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Super Tuscan movement—wines that broke conventional Italian regulations to achieve international recognition. The 1997 vintage was a milestone, becoming the first Italian wine to be named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator. Today, Solaia continues to embody the Antinori family’s dedication to quality and innovation, maintaining its reputation as one of Italy’s most prestigious and sought-after wines.

Technical Information

Climate and Harvest: The 2021 growing season in Chianti Classico was characterized by a prolonged, steady progression, promising both power and finesse in the resulting wines. Winter was mild with adequate rainfall until late March, leading to an early bud break. However, cool and dry conditions in April slowed vine development. May and June experienced typical weather patterns, facilitating excellent flowering and fruit set across all grape varieties in the Solaia vineyard. The summer months were predominantly hot and dry, particularly in August, but late-month showers provided ideal conditions for ripening. September and October offered perfect weather—sunny days, cool nights, and gentle breezes—allowing grapes to achieve optimal maturity. Harvest commenced in late September with Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese and concluded on October 21st with Cabernet Sauvignon. Total annual rainfall was 707.8 mm, with an average temperature of 19.2°C between April 1st and October 21st.

Vinification Process: Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were meticulously destemmed and sorted to ensure only the finest berries were selected. Fermentation took place in 60-hectoliter truncated cone-shaped tanks, carefully managed to enhance finesse and balance fruit expression with refined tannins—hallmarks of Antinori’s elegant winemaking approach. Malolactic fermentation was initiated in once-used barrels over three months, adding depth and complexity while preserving the wine’s signature freshness. The wine then matured for 15 months in 100% new French oak barrels, allowing for seamless integration of oak and tannins. This precise aging process enhances the wine’s structure while highlighting the dark plum, mocha, licorice, spice, and floral notes that define the 2021 Solaia.

RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September. Reviewed by Monica Larner, Issue date: March 2024. Drinking window: 2025 - 2050.

V 100

Vinous

Antinori's 2021 Solaia is another wine that captures all of the potential I sensed when I tasted it some months ago. More than anything else, the 2021 is a fine example of the style Antinori favors these days, an approach that favors finesse more than opulence. Dark plum, mocha, licorice, chocolate, spice, lavender and menthol build effortlessly in the glass. Oak and tannin are impeccably balanced. The 2021 spent 18 months in wood, three months in once-used barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 15 months in 100% new barrels for the rest of its aging. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: June 2025. Drinking window: 2027 - 2051.

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FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

CRITICAL REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES

RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

All said and done, the Marchesi Antinori 2021 Solaia is a monument to perfect winemaking. This coiffed supermodel does not show a single hair follicle out of place. However, it doesn't quite have the same sex appeal of the Tignanello. In my conversations with Estate Manager Renzo Cotarella during this tasting, it was expressed this way: "Tignanello is unexpected. Solaia is expected." Whereas Tignanello is a wine of vertical lift and energy, Solaia is a wine of lasting power. The wine offers generous depth and layering with soft tannins and some of the spicy pink peppercorn you get from the 9% Cabernet Franc (added to 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese). The finish is extremely velvety and soft, but I notice that the flavors seem to become sweeter and riper the longer this wine stays in the glass. This newest release will hit the market in September. Reviewed by Monica Larner, Issue date: March 2024. Drinking window: 2025 - 2050.

V 100

Vinous

Antinori's 2021 Solaia is another wine that captures all of the potential I sensed when I tasted it some months ago. More than anything else, the 2021 is a fine example of the style Antinori favors these days, an approach that favors finesse more than opulence. Dark plum, mocha, licorice, chocolate, spice, lavender and menthol build effortlessly in the glass. Oak and tannin are impeccably balanced. The 2021 spent 18 months in wood, three months in once-used barrels during the malolactic fermentation and then 15 months in 100% new barrels for the rest of its aging. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: June 2025. Drinking window: 2027 - 2051.

2021 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

History and General Information

Solaia is one of Italy’s most iconic wines, crafted by the Antinori family, whose winemaking heritage dates back to 1385. First produced in 1978, Solaia originates from a vineyard on the Tignanello estate in Tuscany, known for its exceptional sun exposure—hence the name Solaia, meaning "the sunny one." Initially, the wine was an experimental blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, marking a departure from traditional Tuscan winemaking. Only in later vintages did the Antinori family introduce Sangiovese into the blend, further defining Solaia’s unique character.

Originally spanning 10 hectares, the vineyard has since expanded to 20 hectares, allowing for greater refinement and consistency in production. Over the years, Solaia has gained worldwide acclaim, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Super Tuscan movement—wines that broke conventional Italian regulations to achieve international recognition. The 1997 vintage was a milestone, becoming the first Italian wine to be named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator. Today, Solaia continues to embody the Antinori family’s dedication to quality and innovation, maintaining its reputation as one of Italy’s most prestigious and sought-after wines.

Technical Information

Climate and Harvest: The 2021 growing season in Chianti Classico was characterized by a prolonged, steady progression, promising both power and finesse in the resulting wines. Winter was mild with adequate rainfall until late March, leading to an early bud break. However, cool and dry conditions in April slowed vine development. May and June experienced typical weather patterns, facilitating excellent flowering and fruit set across all grape varieties in the Solaia vineyard. The summer months were predominantly hot and dry, particularly in August, but late-month showers provided ideal conditions for ripening. September and October offered perfect weather—sunny days, cool nights, and gentle breezes—allowing grapes to achieve optimal maturity. Harvest commenced in late September with Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese and concluded on October 21st with Cabernet Sauvignon. Total annual rainfall was 707.8 mm, with an average temperature of 19.2°C between April 1st and October 21st.

Vinification Process: Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were meticulously destemmed and sorted to ensure only the finest berries were selected. Fermentation took place in 60-hectoliter truncated cone-shaped tanks, carefully managed to enhance finesse and balance fruit expression with refined tannins—hallmarks of Antinori’s elegant winemaking approach. Malolactic fermentation was initiated in once-used barrels over three months, adding depth and complexity while preserving the wine’s signature freshness. The wine then matured for 15 months in 100% new French oak barrels, allowing for seamless integration of oak and tannins. This precise aging process enhances the wine’s structure while highlighting the dark plum, mocha, licorice, spice, and floral notes that define the 2021 Solaia.