Description

Solaia, first made by Marchesi Antinori with the 1978 vintage, comes from a south-west-facing vineyard of the Tignanello estate in Chianti Classico. Cabernet Sauvignon leads, with Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese, and the wine is made only in favourable years.

The vintage 1989. 1989 was a cool, rainy year in Tuscany; the best estates made elegant, lighter wines now in their tertiary phase.

Cassis, black cherry, tobacco, cedar and dark chocolate, with sweet spice; concentrated and elegant, with fine tannins and great length.

Service & pairing. Serve at 17–18 °C in a large glass. Decant younger vintages for one to two hours; stand older bottles upright the day before and decant gently. Superb with bistecca, roast lamb, game or aged pecorino.