Soldera
Case Basse Toscana IGT 100% Sangiovese
Toscana IGT
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Sangiovese
ABV
13.5%
Where it is, June 2026
Too Young: holding.
In May 2026, the 2019 Soldera Case Basse 100 percent Sangiovese is at a delicate and fascinating stage of its evolution. The drinking window opens in 2028, meaning bottles opened today will show a wine that is compact and reticent, with the aromatics folded inward and the structure assertive. The extraordinary complexity that defines Soldera's wines begins to fully reveal itself from 2028 onward, and the peak window of 2035 through 2050 represents the fullest possible expression of this wine's potential. This is a bottle for the patient collector, not the immediate drinker. The hard decline does not occur until 2060, making this a wine with a cellaring arc of remarkable length. Store carefully and resist the temptation to open early.
The ‘19 Case Basse Toscana IGT 100% Sangiovese.
Italy's most singular Sangiovese: ethereal, mineral, and profoundly complex from Montalcino's most uncompromising estate in an outstanding 2019 vintage.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Gianfranco Soldera's Case Basse estate in Montalcino is one of Italy's most singular and uncompromising producers, and the 2019 Toscana IGT 100 percent Sangiovese represents one of the defining bottles of its vintage. Soldera's philosophy, maintained by the family since his passing, rejects the notion that Sangiovese must be either muscular and tannic or easy and approachable, insisting instead on a precise, lifted, and ethereal expression that could only come from this specific terroir and this specific approach. The nose is extraordinary: exotic spice, dried orange peel, incense, and worn leather layer above a core of black cherry and mineral wild berry fruit. Sour citrus, sage, and cedar dust provide a herbal and mineral dimension that keeps the aromatics endlessly complex. The palate is vivid with acidity, the fine-grained tannins creating texture without weight, and the fruit is pure and transparent in a way that is unique to Soldera's vision of Sangiovese. The finish is long, perfumed, and mineral, carrying dried fruit, spice, and a stony mineral persistence through an extended conclusion that is unforgettable in its precision and depth.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 growing season in Montalcino was exceptional, widely considered one of the finest vintages in the appellation in recent decades. Warm summer temperatures produced fruit of deep concentration and richness while the natural acidity of the Sangiovese Grosso grape was well-preserved by the limestone soils and elevation of the Montalcino hillsides. For Case Basse, which sits on a particularly complex terroir of clay and galestro soils, the vintage delivered fruit of extraordinary aromatic precision and mineral depth. Soldera's consistently low yields and minimal intervention approach amplified the vintage's natural qualities into a wine of remarkable definition.
About Soldera
Gianfranco Soldera created Case Basse in the 1970s with a vision of Sangiovese that was uncompromising, precise, and profoundly site-specific. His estate in the Grossnove zone of Montalcino, with its complex blend of soils and biodynamic vineyard management, produces wines that are widely recognized as among Italy's very finest red wines. Following Soldera's death, the estate continues under family management with an identical commitment to the low-yield, minimal-intervention approach that made the wines legendary. The IGT designation reflects Soldera's historical disagreement with certain DOCG production regulations, not any compromise in quality.
From the cellar: pair with
Wild boar ragu with hand-rolled pappardelle
The wine's mineral precision and sour citrus acidity cut through the richness of wild boar, while the earthy depth mirrors the wine's forest floor and dried herb character.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina with minimal seasoning
Soldera's precise, transparent Sangiovese demands equally precise meat preparation; the steak's char and umami bring out the wine's black cherry core.
Aged Pecorino di Pienza with truffle honey
The wine's dried orange peel and exotic spice notes are beautifully complemented by the sheep's milk richness of aged Pecorino, with truffle honey bridging the mineral depth.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 15 to 17 degrees C (59 to 63 degrees F)
- Decanting
- If opening before 2030, decant for 4 to 5 hours in a large-format vessel. After 2030, a 60 to 90 minute decant will suffice.
- Cellar Storage
- 12 to 13 degrees C (54 to 55 degrees F)
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Toscana IGT
Frequently Asked
Why is Soldera labeled as Toscana IGT rather than Brunello di Montalcino?
Soldera historically disagreed with certain DOCG production regulations and chose to bottle under the IGT designation as an expression of independence. The quality and approach remain among the highest in Italy regardless of classification.
When should I open the 2019 Soldera Case Basse?
The drinking window opens in 2028, with peak drinking from 2035 through 2050. This is a wine that rewards extraordinary patience.
How does Soldera differ from other Montalcino producers?
Soldera's extremely low yields, biodynamic farming, and minimal winemaking intervention produce a Sangiovese of unusual transparency, precision, and longevity compared to more traditional or modern interpretations.
How long will this wine last in the cellar?
The hard decline is projected at 2060, giving the wine a cellaring arc of over four decades from the 2019 harvest. It is built for generational cellaring.