Solaia

The Marchesi Antinori 2017 Solaia presents a uniquely floral personality, with notes of wild rose and lilac that come as a surprise, especially when one might expect the more robust and opulent dark fruit associated with this vintage. To use a popular term, the aromas are absolutely lifted. This is a bouquet-driven wine, showcasing excellent oak choices that synergize with the light and considerably thinner palate. Dried or pressed flowers give way to cherry, blueberry, a hint of red meat char, and a light touch of cinnamon. The impression is that the dry extract from the oak plays a more significant role in the overall flavor profile while still preserving the red fruit core. The wine is very accessible in terms of mouthfeel, with a comparatively thinner and shorter approach. With more time in the glass, it reveals some of the white soil dust that is a signature of Solaia.