2022 Solaia

The drought and heat of 2022 pushed vines in Tuscany to their limits, and the outcome in many cases are wines of density and concentration but with a vein of freshness – and that's exactly what we see here in the 2022 Solaia. It opens with cool aromas of damp earth, woodland berries, red fruit coulis and a waft of balsamic herbs. In the mouth it is immediately very fleshy, almost voluptuous but holding its shape. Balsam-infused black cherry and dark berries are deepened by chocolatey wood, while succulent acidity brings out the top end and leads to a long, bright, energetic and fresh finish which is full of promise for the future.

More elegant than powerful and more approachable than usual, with stunning concentration and complexity. Aromas of subtle cassis, toast, herbs and a refreshing balsamic touch. Firm on the palate, with a full body, velvety texture and moderate acidity but not at the expense of its great balance. Sleek, polished aftertaste with sweet tobacco flavors. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

(Toscana IGT Rosso; 80% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Sangiovese; 10% Cabernet Franc; the fruit is sourced from a vineyard, part of the Tenuta Tignanello estate, of around 20 hectares at between 350 and 400 metres of altitude with a south-western exposition on calcareous rocky soils rich in Alberese and Galestro; malolactic fermentation and aging in new French oak barrels for 15 months; 13.5% alcohol; tasted with Stefano Carpaneto and Francesco Visani over an internet link). From an initially very hot and dry vintage (with 2 months without rain). It was saved in a way by the final part of the ripening period with the return of much needed rainfall and a slower, cooler and wetter finish to the season. This is rich, spicy and rather classical with generous sweet spices accompanying the dark berry and stone fruits. There’s a pleasing delicate dried florality and additional freshness from the Cabernet France, bringing hints of patchouli and violet. I love the authentically Italian saline note to this too and an iron-tinged slightly bloody richness to the mid-palate that tells you instantly where this comes from and that we are not solely in the presence of Bordeaux varietals. A hint of balsam and eucalyptus too. The tannins are gorgeously tactile and dynamic – soft and spherical and difficult at first to detect, but increasingly present in their growing granularity as they engage and seem to take in charge the evolution of the fruit over the mid-palate and onto a far-off vanishing point on a long distant horizon. Deeply impressive and very expressive of the vintage. This is a very ‘solaire’ edition of Solaia – and a wine that feels very comfortable with that, above all at ‘just’ 13.5% alcohol (the first vintage in the last decade that is below 14%).