Solaia

(mostly cabernet sauvignon with a little franc): Deep ruby-red. Pungent, brooding aromas of cassis, blackberry jelly, licorice, clove, bay leaf and violet; very aromatic and very cabernet sauvignon. Dense, highly concentrated and seamless, with good verve thanks to harmonious acidity that lifts the dark fruit and aromatic cedar flavors. Finishes with superripe, fine, toothcoating tannins, a hint of alcoholic warmth and great persistence. A very aromatic, tactile and smooth Solaia, in a slightly warmer style owing to the hot vintage but with a refinement lacking in the Tignanello of the same year; you can tell the grapes come from a select portion of vines within the Tignanello vineyard. This ought to develop splendidly in bottle and has great potential.