Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2023 750ml

Pre Arrival Offer, Wines due between December 2026 and February 2027 

A brilliant release of one of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines, the 2023 Solaia opens with dark cherry, blackberry, cassis and wild forest berries, giving it an immediate sense of richness and energy. The dark fruit is beautifully defined rather than heavy, with blood orange adding a brighter, more lifted edge.

Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend, joined by Cabernet Franc and a smaller proportion of Sangiovese. The palate is full and generous, with layers of graphite, chocolate, cedar, leather, mint and dried herbs unfolding around the fruit. Fine-grained tannins give the wine its structure, while a subtle savoury and saline character brings freshness and definition.

Solaia comes from a single vineyard on the same hillside as Tignanello, at around 350–400 metres above sea level in the heart of Chianti Classico. The vineyard’s elevation helps preserve freshness, something that is particularly evident in 2023. Despite the warmth and concentration of the vintage, this remains poised and precise, with impressive purity and a long, savoury finish.

There is plenty of power here, but it is the balance that makes the 2023 so compelling. The texture is velvety, the tannins beautifully integrated and the fruit remains fresh throughout. Already expressive, this will become more complex and nuanced with time in bottle.

The critics have been particularly enthusiastic about the vintage. James Button of Decanter awarded it 98 points, while Colin Hay gave it 98+, describing the 2023 as potentially the greatest recent Solaia he has tasted. Antonio Galloni and James Suckling both awarded 97 points. A superb Solaia with a long future ahead.