Rare and Fine Wine from Italy and Spain
Live Virtual Auction, 14 May 2023
Rare and Fine Wine from Italy and Spain
About the SessionAn exquisite selection of highly sought-after collectables of Fine and Rare Italian and Spanish wines.
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About this Item
The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries, since 1385, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri – the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. Throughout its history, which spans an incredible twenty-six generations, the Antinori family has managed their business directly, making innovative, bold decisions while respecting their traditions and the environment. Their innovations played a pivotal part in Italy’s ‘Super-Tuscan’ revolution of the 1970s. As Marchese Piero loves to say, ‘ancient family roots play an important part in our philosophy but they have never hindered our innovative spirit.’
The sunniest part of the Tignanello's hillside is home to the Solaia vineyard. The very best grapes from the very best vineyard. All the rest is passion, the utmost care and research. These are the secrets of Solaia together with the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese grapes from its namesake vineyard.
First Italian wine to be rated number one in the Wine Spectator Top 100.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Dark ruby red color. Currant, Christmas cake, mint and spices. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. This is balanced and refined. It's layered and beautiful. This is still tight and not giving much. A few more years will yield a lot. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2009.' - Wine Spectator, 97/100 (Dec 2007)
‘The sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored 1997 exhibits a complex nose of cedar, spice box, cassis, and subtle oak. With yields of only 30 hectoliters per hectare, and malolactic fermentation in barrel (a la Tignanello), this wine reveals extraordinary concentration, a thick, viscous texture, yet no sense of heaviness or ponderousness. It is a thrilling Solaia to consume over the next two decades. If a first-growth Pauillac were made in Tuscany, this would be it!’ – Robert Parker Jr, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Feb 2000)
‘Top-echelon, with a stunning purity and depth of layered fruit both sensuous and intellectually appealing. The dark cherry and plum core is oak-enveloped with rarely seen seamlessness, while the big but supple mouthfeel belies the wine's profound power and structure. A classic effort marked by perfect fruit-to-acid balance, firm, refined tannins and a seemingly endless finish. Editors' Choice.’ – Wine Enthusiast, 97/100 (Sep 2001)
‘Deep garnet colour. Superb leather and aniseed character, such tremendous concentration. Not blockbusting though; there is nuance here. Mint, blackcurrant, freshly turned earth. The tannins have a fine clay texture, and support the fruit splendidly. Loads of primary fruit still in evidence. Outstanding.’ - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18.5/20 (Oct 2014)
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