2011 Antinori Solaia

A big, rich wine but there's lots of brightness and beauty at the same time. Shows licorice and asphalt. Full body with chewy tannins and a long finish. Terracotta, Tuscan dust and spice, plus balsamic too. This needs three to five years to soften. Intense finish. Review Date: November 2014

Blackberry jam, cassis, grilled herbs and melted road tar meld together in the 2011 Solaia. Another super-exotic, racy 2011 from Antinori, Solaia is supremely beautiful. Mocha, espresso and sage are some of the many notes that add complexity. Hints of white truffle, lavender, smoke and licorice are laced into the exotic, racy finish. In 2011, Solaia has a dollop more of Cabernet Franc in the blend, added to give the wine a touch of freshness. Ripe and flashy to the core, the 2011 needs time to lose some of its youthful exuberance. At times, the 2011 could be easily mistaken for a wine from Napa Valley, such is its intensity. Review Date: May 2014

A rich, bright red, displaying plum, blackberry, boysenberry, leather and spice notes, allied to a dense structure. Built for the long haul, this remains balanced and juicy through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2033. 500 cases imported. Review Date: July 2015

I'm not fully convinced by the 2011 Solaia. It is a hedonistic and heady expression for sure, but it doesn't come near the 97 points I awarded the 2010 vintage. In fact, the bouquet here is very ripe with thick tones of strawberry and blackberry folded within tobacco, leather and sweet spice. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc offer flavors of rum cake and candied fruit. There's a good amount of tannic firmness surrounded by thick extract and fleshiness. Review Date: October 2014