Lot 235
ANTINORI SOLAIA TOSCANA IGT 2016 (1) WA 100
TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA BOLGHERI SUPERIORE ORNELLAIA 2016 (1) WA 98
Lot 235 Details
ANTINORI SOLAIA TOSCANA IGT 2016 (1)
Tuscany.
u. bn. scraped label.
Ultimately, my decision to award 100 points to the 2016 Solaia came on impulse and with the most natural sense of purpose. I had also given the 2015 vintage a perfect score, and intellectually, it seemed impossible not to pick a favorite among these two stunning expressions. The 2016 vintage is more chiseled and sharp with mineral shadings of campfire ash and graphite at the rim of its dark fruit. The mouthfeel is more streamlined and tight at its core, suggesting that the wine will unfold and soften beautifully with time. I feel like 2015 is the Dolce & Gabbana of the situation and the 2016 is the Armani Privé. The personalities of the two wines are distinct, yet my admiration for each is identical. September 2019 WA 100
TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA BOLGHERI SUPERIORE ORNELLAIA 2016 (1)
Tuscany.
u. bn.
The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a wine of extreme complexity and precision. It offers monumental depth with profound layers of black fruit, coffee, licorice and baking chocolate. I tasted this 2016 vintage beside the less-impactful 2015 vintage (which was reviewed last year). These two editions are very different when compared side to side, and this 2016 release is clearly superior in terms of the quality, clarity and intensity of its offerings. This Ornellaia delivers glossy shine and a polished texture that segues to important richness, concentration and textural fiber. It wraps thickly over the palate, imparting waves of sweet dark fruit and dark spice that linger for many long minutes. This beautiful wine is hitting the market now, but collectors will want to put it straight into their cellars for safekeeping. April 2019 Drink to 2045 WA 98