Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 96
This fourth flight brings us into what I consider a real Golden Era for Solaia that started with the 2004. A young, potent wine, the 2006 Solaia out of magnum still needs quite a bit of time. Even so, its towering stature is evident. A rush of blackberry jam, grilled herbs, espresso, licorice and spice builds as the 2006 shows off its explosive energy and drive.
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2041
Vinous 95
(14% alcohol) Good deep purple-tinged ruby. Deeper, fresher aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant and minerals than the riper ’07 shows. Still primary and brooding on the palate, with a refined, lively texture and a floral character that carries through to the aftertaste. The red and black fruit flavors are complicated by hints of forest floor and by more apparent minerality than the ’07. Quite silky in texture thanks to noble tannins. Finishes long and pure thanks to firm but well-integrated acidity. This is less soft and more austere than the excellent ’07, but each will have its admirers. This 2006 will also prove longer-lived.
Wine Advocate 94
The estate’s 2006 Solaia is a big, powerful offering loaded with ripe blackberry jam, herbs, minerals and French oak. Like all of the 2006s from Antinori, the Solaia remains extraordinarily dense and primary. Readers will have to be patient with this wine and give it plenty of bottle age before the full range of its aromas and nuances blossom fully. Solaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. From top to bottom this is a beautiful set of wines from Antinori. The estate’s 2006 Guado al Tasso, Tignanello and Solaia are all beautiful, even if they don’t appear to possess the elegance of the superb 2004s. Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA, tel. (425) 415-3738
Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026
