2003 Antinori - Toscana Solaia

Despite the heat, this vintage lives up to the Solaia reputation with a slightly more ripe rendition. Toasted and oak spice aromas hit the nose first followed by strawberry and blackberry preserves. The elegance is not lost and the wine performs nicely in the mouth with chewy succulence, dusty tannins and a long finish.

The 2003 Solaia (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc) reveals the essence of blackberry jam, licorice, cassis, tar and minerals in a super-ripe, heady expression of the vintage. Richly sumptuous on the palate, this beautiful, expansive Solaia offers terrific length as well as stunning balance with plenty of style. It is sure to deliver much gratification over the next decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.

Black pepper, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, plums and bottled fruit aromas follow each other continually in Solaia 2003. The wine is strikingly elegant with nicely blended tannins supporting the sensation of sweetness and weight. The tasting does not reveal harshness, and the balance shows distinctive sweetness from the riper grapes. Hints of liquorice and coffee return in the impressively long finish.