~ Casa Emma is located in the Chianti Classico commune of Barberino Val d’Elsa ~
Soloio; “Only Me”. The name is a classical Tuscan reference for Casa Emma’s 100% Merlot Super Tuscan.
Casa Emma sits on the winding Strada Provinciale di Castellina at just over 420 meters above sea level. Surrounded by 28 hectares of vineyards with a thousand olive trees interspersed randomly, the property is not large. The estate was founded in 1969, when owner Fiorella Lepri purchased the farm from a Florentine Noble woman named Emma Bizzarri. The estate is still named in her honor.
The estate is planted mostly to Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. However, a few precious vineyard blocks of Merlot thrive here. Today, we’re discussing “only me”.
~ The barricaia in Casa Emma’s Cantina ~
Soloio is produced in only top vintages. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and then aged in French barriques for 18 months. Following that, Soloio is aged for an additional 12 months in bottle prior to release. While vintage conditions obviously dictate, about 5,000 bottles are produced annually.
I last wrote about Soloio when the 2015 vintage was released. At the time, I commented that the wine could use 2-4 years in the cellar. That would make the 2015 about 8 years old which is where the window of velvet begins to open. The subject of today’s article has benefited from time in the cellar. As a result, I have benefited from the patience afforded the wine.
~ The block of Merlot vineyards that sources the fruit for Soloio ~
The 2010 Casa Emma Soloio is a deep purple in the glass and lightens slight to violet at the rim. The aromas from the wine are elegant and even aristocratic. Black plums are crushed within a stone mortar and accented with fresh lavender. On the palate, the crushed plum is enhanced by worn leather, rosemary, crushed stone and is elegantly framed in warm, worn French oak. Velvety in texture, but perhaps there’s a hint too much acid on the finish that asserts itself more like a “sting” and less like a note of freshness. 92 points. Find this wine.
~ The 2010 Soloio is drinking beautifully right now ~
There are two additional reviews for the 2015 a few years apart: Here and again here with Paolo Paffi. If you’re looking for this vintage to develop like the 2010, I think the chances are excellent that it will evolve even better. Be patient!
Salute!
