From Sparrow’s red wine by the bottle list, the Solaia 2019 is one of the most celebrated wines in the world, a Cabernet-led Super Tuscan from the Antinori family in Tuscany, Italy ($595 by the bottle). It is the kind of bottle Eastside collectors plan a night around, and we are glad to pour it here in Juanita.
About Solaia
Solaia is made by Marchesi Antinori, a family that has been making wine in Tuscany for more than six hundred years. The wine takes its name from a sun-drenched, stony hillside parcel that sits on the same Tignanello estate in the Chianti Classico zone, and the name itself nods to the sunny exposure of that vineyard. Antinori first produced Solaia in 1978 almost by happy accident, when a great harvest left an excess of Cabernet Sauvignon, and rather than waste the fruit the team bottled a small run of roughly 3,600 bottles. The early releases were built entirely on Bordeaux varieties, with no native Italian grapes at all. Over the following years Antinori introduced Sangiovese and refined the recipe, and the modern blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with a portion of Sangiovese and a touch of Cabernet Franc. Along with its sibling Tignanello, Solaia helped define the Super Tuscan movement, the group of Tuscan reds that broke from the old Chianti rules to use international grapes and small French oak barrels. In 1997 Solaia became the first Italian wine named the number one wine of the year by a major American wine magazine, a milestone that helped put Tuscan reds on the world stage.
Tasting Notes
This is a Cabernet-dominant Super Tuscan, so expect the kind of profile that style is known for, deep dark fruit, firm but polished tannins, and notes of cedar and spice that come from extended aging in French oak. The Sangiovese in the blend adds brightness and a savory, food-friendly edge that keeps a wine of this richness feeling alive. It is built to age, and a great vintage like 2019 rewards decanting and a little patience in the glass.
What to Pair It With
A wine of this stature wants a special-occasion plate. From the Sparrow dinner menu, pour it alongside one of the American Wagyu steaks, the Sparrow-Smoked Rack, or the Braised Duck. Rich red meat is the natural match for its structure and depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wine is Solaia?
Solaia is a Super Tuscan red from the Antinori family in Tuscany, Italy. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Sangiovese and a small amount of Cabernet Franc, first made in 1978.
How much is Solaia at Sparrow?
Solaia is $595 by the bottle at Sparrow in Kirkland. It is one of the marquee bottles on our red wine by the bottle list.
Why is Solaia famous?
Solaia helped launch the Super Tuscan movement and in 1997 became the first Italian wine named the number one wine of the year by a major American wine magazine.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near its sibling Tignanello and the Frescobaldi Brunello. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come celebrate with it.