Antinori. Tignanello
Antinori. Tignanello
IGT Toscana
Grapes Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon, spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.
Tignanello was created by Giacomo Tachis and Piero Antinori in 1970, then it was called Podere Tignanello Chianti Classico Riserva, becoming Tignanello, Vino da Tavola in 1971 when it was made as a pure Sangiovese. In 1975 the Cabernet Sauvignon arrived which in recent years is leaning towards Cabernet Franc under the guidance of Renzo Cotarella.
“We are gradually increasing the Cabernet Franc in Tignanello to balance the greater richness that today’s warmer seasons are giving to our Sangioveses.”
Antinori CEO Renzo Cotarella.
The mark of Emile Peynaud's influence on this early Tachis wine is evident; Tignanello is thought to be the first wine to step into line with neo-Bordeaux winemaking: maceration, the importance of malolactic fermentation, smaller barrels and selected clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. These are the pillars on which future Tachis wines were built.
Archive
2019 14%
The 2019 growing season in Chianti Classico was defined by rather normal climatic conditions: winter was rather
cold with limited rainfall and the first half of spring was cool and rainy especially during the months of April and May. Summer weather was hot, uninterrupted by major heat spikes, with slightly higher than average precipitation levels, which ensured a normal growth cycle of both the vines and the grape clusters.
Ideal climatic conditions set in at the end of August and continued throughout September and October, allowing all grape varieties grown in the Tignanello vineyard to reach optimal ripeness. Harvesting activities began in the second half of September with Sangiovese, and were concluded on the 16th of October with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tignanello 2018
“The 2018 Tignanello is a wine of breathtaking purity. Impossibly silky and persistent, the 2018 is all class, all the way. In many ways, the 2018 reminds me of the 2004 because of its finesse , but it has an extra degree of nuance that reflects important strides that have been made at the estate in the intervening years. Winemaking today is more gentle, while new oak is also less intrusive. The result is a Tignanello that bristles with class. The purity of the flavors alone is mesmerizing. Bright red-toned berries, mocha, spice, cedar, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that linger on a finish framed by silky, perfectly ripe tannins"
97 Points Antonio Galloni February 5th 2021
Red - Full Bodied