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I have had a soft spot for the 1994 Solaia for a very long time, as it is the first vintage I tasted upon release. Today, many years later, the 1994 is still a very special wine. The magnum format surely helps. Sweet red cherry, red plum, mocha and rose petal grace this beautifully focused, translucent wine. The 1994 is another wine tonight that is at such a fabulous peak of expression.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 1994 Solaia, takes care of that however, as it is utterly compelling. At nearly twenty years of age, the 1994 remains opulent, full-bodied and voluptuous to the core. This is the best bottle of the 1994 I have ever had. Warm days alternated with cool nights during the final phase of ripening produced one of the greatest Solaias ever made.
Higher in Cabernet Sauvignon than the Tignanello. From 10.5 ha in the centre of Tuscany, at 250 m. Warm days and coolish nights. Very rocky shallow calcaire soils. 1994 was a good vintage with a hot summer, September rain and a dry sunny harvest in October. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 20% Sangiovese. Macerated in open wood barrels with regular punchdown, Sangiovese 15 days, Cabernet Sauvignon 20 days. Malo and maturation in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months. Tasted in magnum. Unfiltered in 1994 so slightly cloudy (nowadays they do a light filtration). Much the deepest colour of the flight. Dark ruby with some brick at the rim. Lovely nose. Fully evolved. Explosive, almost gunpowder. Lots of tertiary cedary aromas. A hint of prunes but quite fresh enough. Great stuff! Slightly dusty in a very good way. You can see the Sangiovese and that slight earthiness is definitely bordeaux. Very clean and vibrant. (JR)
The 1994 Solaia is a revelation. Though a small-scaled wine, this Solaia reveals extraordinary harmony in its roasted coffee beans, leather, spices and dark fruit, with surprising freshness and elegance. Well-kept bottles should continue to drink well for several years. By any measure the 1994 Solaia is a huge overachiever in this vintage.
About the producer
Marchesi Antinori is a leading Italian producer, historically based in Tuscany, who rose to fame after creating Tignanello – one of the first Super Tuscans . Combining tradition and innovation to craft fine wine, the family-owned firm has been a force in the Italian wine industry for over 600 years.