Cellar Favorite: 2017 & 2018 Soldera – Case Basse Toscana Sangiovese

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | AUGUST 31, 2026

I was thrilled to share two bottles from my cellar with a group of fellow wine lovers recently. As it turns out, we tasted the 2017 almost ten years to the day after I tasted the wine as a young, fermenting must, which brought back so many memories. I had an appointment to stop by on August 28th that year. On August 24th, I received the following email:

Dear Antonio,

Please forgive me [for rescheduling our tasting], but on Saturday, August 26th, I began the grape harvest, which proved extremely difficult; yesterday I finished destemming — meticulously selecting the grapes berry by berry — and I now have two vats containing a magnificent must that will amaze you when you taste it (or when you taste the resulting wine).

Given the delicate nature of the harvest and the selection of each individual berry, it was essential for me to be present and oversee every step of the process. I never imagined I would be harvesting my Sangiovese in August, but one must always keep learning and work in harmony with nature as much as possible.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warm regards,

Gianfranco

The young 2017 Sangiovese in vinification.

A few days later, on September 4, I had lunch with my kids and parents (it was my father’s birthday) and then drove to Montalcino to taste the young 2017 straight out of the fermenting vat. That was my first encounter with the 2017. Tasting it from bottle always brings back so many memories. The 2018 was the last vintage Soldera vinified before he passed away in 2018. It’s a superb final chapter to the life of one of the most extraordinary and inspired winemakers the world has known.

The 2017 Toscana Sangiovese shows all the forward character of this hot, dry year in its open-knit aromatics and ripe, red-toned fruit. Sweet floral overtones, white pepper, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco are some of the notes that grace this exquisite Sangiovese from Soldera. At first, the aromatics are decidedly high-toned. A touch of volatile acidity — common in this wine — is evident. In its first impression, the 2017 comes across as a bit light. Revisited 24 hours after opening, the 2017 has acquired notable depth, the flavors are darker and the volatile acidity is not at all prominent. The 2017 may be going through a period of adolescence. I look forward to checking in on it again in another few years’ time. 96/Drink 2027-2047.

Tasted after the 2017, Soldera’s 2018 Toscana Sangiovese is a showstopper. Dark, rich and explosive, the 2018 conveys tremendous intensity right out of the gate. Black cherry, gravel, incense, licorice, clove and menthol convey tons of brooding intensity that is matched pound for pound by incisive tannins. The 2018 conveys tremendous depth and intensity, with no excess weight. This is the last vintage Gianfranco Soldera vinified before his passing in early 2019. It’s a superb conclusion to one of the most extraordinary careers in wine. 97/Drink 2028-2053.

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