Antinori Solaia 2018 (75cl, 15%)

A Super Tuscan red blend from Marchesi Antinori, made from 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 7% Cabernet Franc, bottled at 15% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The grapes come from a single sun-drenched hillside plot within the Tenuta Tignanello vineyard in the Chianti Classico area, and the 2018 vintage underwent malolactic fermentation in barriques followed by about 18 months in new French oak barrels. The nose shows dark, ripe blueberries and black currants, dried flowers, lavender, white pepper, mint and eucalyptus. The palate is mouth-filling, with concentrated black plum and cassis, pencil shaving, toasted almond, clove-tinged sweet spice, inky blackberry and chocolate, supported by creamy texture and violet and vanilla. It finishes extremely long and elegant, with soft, silky tannins and licorice and dark spice.