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Solaria
Winery
A small, family-owned estate on the eastern slopes of the Montalcino hill, Solaria has 10 hectares of prime vineyards that were mostly re-planted in 1988. Since the release of their first vintage in 1993, this boutique estate has steadily established a reputation for impeccable wines demonstrating the intense fruit associated with their mixed sand and clay soils accompanied by bright freshness.
Sitting at about 350 meters above sea level and surrounded by the historic vineyards of Biondi-Santi, this darling estate practices the “lotta integrata” method of farming, an Italian statute that essentially embodies the main principles of sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Vinification periods represent a classic philosophy: 20-25 days on the skins followed by ageing in used barriques and large botti. Only about 2,000 cases of Brunello, 1,000 cases of Rosso, and a mere 500 cases of Brunello “123” are produced annually. Named after the official land survey, “123” is the number designating a particular parcel from which this remarkable bottling is produced. Aged 2 ½ years in used barriques, it then spends 1 ½ years in new tonneaux for just the right balance of new wood. Darker in color and more brooding than their blended Brunello with more prominent notes of oak, this is an intense, complex wine with remarkable freshness capable of long-term ageing.
Visit the winery at www.solariacencioni.com.
Wines
Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 123 2004
93 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 10/2010
Brunello Di Montalcino 2004
“Solaria’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is a sweet, seamless wine that flows onto the palate in a soft, caressing style. This harmonious, accessible Brunello shows lovely balance, but it is already rather forward and looks to be a relatively early maturing wine. Still, it should deliver plenty of great drinking over the next few years.”
Wine Advocate, 90 points, 6/09
“Plum, cedar and leather aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with a lovely density of ripe fruit and a soft, velvety textured finish. Ripe and beautiful. An opulent wine that opens on the palate. This is the best ever from this estate.”
94 Points, Wine Spectator, Web Only 2009
Brunello Di Montalcino 2005
“This has a slightly mature color of brick red, with amber edges. Dried plum, spices and mahogany aromas lead to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A little aggressive now. A year of bottle age should bring this out beautifully.”
89 points, Wine Spectator, 5/2010
90 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 10/2010
Rosso Di Montalcino 2007
“Good bright, deep red. Wonderfully scented nose of red cherry, pomegranate, and marzipan is lifted by hints of lemon and tangerine. Lush and seamless but with racy, very pure, ripe red fruit flavors that are given laser-like precision by high but harmonious acids. This extremely well made, refined wine conveys a sense of lightness and grace on its medium-long finish, but just misses on the density for an outstanding score. Should it develop more stuffing with a little bottle age, my score will look ungenerous.” , 89 points, International Wine Cellar, 10/08