2019 opened September ‘24. Unusual nose — briars and turmeric. The light red fruits on the front are quickly subsumed by a complex wave of tannins. I detect dark chocolate in the base notes. Orange zest in the high notes. There’s some other stuff happening in the initial tannic rush that I can’t identify, but they’re yummy. These desperate elements are held together by an initially soft tannic structure — but a stronger mineral component starts at the back of the mid pallet and it provides a long tasty finish.
Personally, I think it was best right out of the bottle. After the first glass, I let it open up for an hour, and it got a little less interesting as some of the.subtleties disappeared — but still very tasty! That suggests to me that it might not hold up to a long cellaring, but I am a bit perverse in that I like my wines young. — 11 days ago
Deep opaque purple. Vibrant smell of red berries and lavender. Full bodied but comes across as very ‘athletic’. Tannins and acidity are spot on and the wine leaves an impression of effortless presence and harmony. Impactful yet very refined. A tight rope walker, making it seem all so easy. Flirting with greatness yet so ephemeral. A wine that definitely leaves a vivid impression on your memory, like a painting. Bravo. 92+ (easily) — 14 days ago
Second bottle from this vintage. Much better experience this time. Last wasn’t bad and perhaps was just an off night/bottle. This Solaia was packing significant range and depth. The fruit was beautifully structured and was so well rounded. Seemed more mature than just 5 years. Excellent. — 13 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed with a simple meal of pasta all’arrabbiata and over the course of a few hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, orange bitters, exotic spices, black tea, black licorice, some dried green herbs and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and lithe in body. I’ve long been a fan of Fèlsina fan and their Chianti Classico and Riserva especially so. When it’s a great vintage like 2021? Back up the truck. These will drink well through 2031 with ease. I can’t wait to try the CCR! — 6 days ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium ruby , bright with a wide ruby rim . Restrained and focused at first , red cherry , pine , iris and wet slate , with fresh sage and rosemary . On the palate very elegant and again restrained , the spicy red cherry , raspberry , rosemary , sage and thyme notes , with good backbone from fresh acidity , saline hints . Tannins are quite elegant and though present are very fine . Medium , sour cherry stained length. Overall perhaps doesn’t have the complexity or structure of the 2019 but this is a very refined , elegant wine , as one would expect. This is actually enjoyable now due to the sweet fine tannins but will no doubt age well and improve over the next 10-15 years — 10 days ago