2001 Antinori Solaia

De Solaia is een SuperTuscan, een Bordeaux blend met  Cabernet Sauvignon aangevuld met Cabernet Franc en Sangiovese.  De naam Solaia komt van Il Sole, Italiaans voor de zon. De wijngaarden voor deze topper van Marchese Antinori is 10ha groot en liggen op de zuid-west hellingen op een hoogte tussen de 350 en 400 meter. De grond is steenachtig met marl. Zij liggen in de omgeving van Santa Cristina - Val di Pesa in de zone van de Chianti Classico, naast de wijngaarden van de Tignanello wijn. Deze topper van Antinori wordt alleen gemaakt in de topjaren

De Solaia 2001 (en 2004) zijn opnieuw uitgebracht om zo het potentieel van veroudering te tonn. De 2001 Solaia (magnum) vertegenwoordigt het hoogtepunt van een tijdperk waarin rijkdom, concentratie en extractie tot het uiterste werden gedreven, typerend voor veel wijnen eind jaren 1990 en begin 2000. Superrijp donkerrood fruit, frambozenjam, rozenblaadjes, drop en overvloedig nieuw eikenhout komen samen in een onbeschaamd rijke, krachtige Solaia. De 2001 is allesbehalve subtiel, maar kan wel geweldig verouderden.

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Lees de overige beoordelingen via de links naast de flesafbeelding

The 2001 Solaia, far superior to the overrated 1997 (to which I also prefer the 1999 and 1994) is a classic example of central Tuscan Cabernet at its best, ruby-purple in color, warm and explosive in its expression of black currant fruit, tobacco, tar, and graphite, superbly concentrated and dense on the palate but balanced and shapely at the same time and with a noble austerity and grip on the finish which resembles the best of Bordeaux. The wine is a sure bet for another two decades of superb drinking (Parker 96/100)

96

Drinking Window
2013 - 2031

From: Antinori Solaia – A Complete Retrospective 1978-2010 (Dec 2013)

The 2001 Solaia is similar to the 1999, but with an added level of finesse that takes the place of some of the brute power found in the 1999. The 2001 drinks well better young than the 1999, but it is also likely to mature earlier.

- By Antonio Galloni on December 2013

Chronicling the great wines of Italy for our readers has been a passion of mine for many years. Vinous Events take readers off the sidelines and make them participants in historic, once-in-a-lifetime tastings. It was with that spirit we hosted this complete vertical of Antinori's Solaia a few months ago.

Putting together the first-ever complete vertical of Solaia was a huge undertaking. It almost didn't happen at all. The original date for this tasting/dinner was Monday October 29, the day Hurricane Sandy descended on the tri-state area and began wreaking unprecedented havoc. Nearly eight months passed before the vertical finally took place, which only strengthened our resolve to make the evening even better. The passage of time also allowed for the inclusion of the 2010, which is in my view the greatest Solaia ever made. Marchese Piero Antinori and longtime Winemaker Renzo Cotarella presented the wines. Even Antinori had never tasted all 28 vintages together. Eleven Madison Park's Executive Chef Daniel Humm and his team prepared a brilliant menu full of highlights, including the morel and lamb courses both of which were among the most delicious dishes I have ever indulged in at Eleven Madison Park. Wine Director Dustin Wilson and a talented group of sommeliers took care of the wines, a huge undertaking given the large number of vintages. For more perspective, readers might enjoy the videos I shot with Antinori and Cotarella just prior to the dinner.