Antinori Solaia 2010 (750ML)

98 JS / 98 AG / 98 DE / 97 WA / 97 WE / 17 JR / 95 WI

Wine No. 1 on James Suckling's Top 100 Italian Wines of 2013

A triumph for Solaia. It suggests the greatness of the legendary 1997 Solaia. This is a wine with very subtle and complex aromas and flavors with currants, licorice and raspberries. Wonderful nose. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Love this wine. The precision of the cabrenet sauvignon comes through here. Better in 2016. - James Suckling

In this context, it is obvious why the 2010 is the greatest Solaia ever made. The 2010 has it all; expressive aromatics, wonderfully nuanced fruit and tons of supporting structure. The 2010 has been magnificent since I started tasting the component wines in 2011. Not that it is in bottle, it is every bit as stunning as I had hoped. Readers will not want to miss this towering masterpiece from the Antinori family. Ideally, the 2010 should be cellared until at least age ten. This mesmerizing, wonderfully complete Solaia represents the height of finesse Antinori started to achieve with the 2004. In time, the 2010 will be recognized as one of the all-time legendary Solaias. Actually, it already is. I can't think of a better wine with which to wrap up this monumental, truly once-in-a-lifetime tasting. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2010 Solaia is less immediately giving on the nose than the Tignanello of the same vintage, taking time to reveal nuances of grilled herbs, black raspberry and currants beneath the cedar and spice. As it opens, it builds in intensity reaching a crescendo on the long powerful finish. There is plenty of dense fruit to back up mouth filling tannins, which are remarkably sophisticated and a testament to the ongoing fine tuning at this Antinori property. - Michaela Morris, Decanter

The 2010 Solaia puts on an incredible show that hits all the senses and keeps your unyielding attention for as long as there is wine in the bottle. There are various ways to describe the bouquet. First, is the wines sweet side, as this beautiful 75-20-5 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc delivers ripe cherry, black currant, baking spice and dark chocolate. After that, the wine becomes redolent of tobacco, balsam, bay leaf, rum cake and dark licorice. The bouquet is all encompassing and complete. A firmly structured backbone is padded generously by the fleshy richness of its consistency. This is a gorgeous wine that will age for decades. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040. Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Already one of Italy's most iconic bottlings, this gorgeous 2010 is already a classic. Its complex and intense bouquet unfolds with ripe blackberries, violets, leather, thyme and balsamic herbs. The palate shows structure, poise and complexity, delivering rich black currants, black cherry, licorice, mint and menthol notes alongside assertive but polished tannins and vibrant energy. This wine will age and develop for decades. Drink 2018–2040. — Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast

Very deep blackish crimson. Lifted and mineral. Super-smooth and fresh on the palate. Lightly and appetisingly inky. Long and very racy. Very different from the 2006. - Jancis Robinson

On first impression the 2010 Marchesi Antinori Solaia has a very grippy feel to the tannins. It has a firm, muscular style with a slight austerity in terms of the acid and tannin structure. While round, viscous, and concentrated in the middle, the fruit flavors feel cooler, more forest floor and wild blackberry in nature. It is an ambitious wine, built to last with a forceful personality. It may need even more time to come into its own. - Susan Hulme, Wine Independent