Tignanello is a red wine from the producer Marchesi Antinori. Tignanello is a so-called cult wine that helped kick off the concept of super Tuscan. The wine was first introduced in 1971, when Antinori created a barrel-aged wine from the French Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Chianti.
Normally, wines were made from only the Sangiovese grape with a little green grapes added. Although it caused a stir in the Italian wine region, it was not a revolutionary approach. Since the 1920s, producers had been experimenting with the French Bordeaux varieties, which could give the classic Sangiovese wines some extra depth and aging potential.
Tignanello was one of the first red wines from Antiori, and the wine resonated worldwide because such a great wine from Chianti was not necessarily made from the well-known Sangiovese grape.
Tenuta Tignanello
Back in 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Florence's united winegrowers (Arte Fiorentina), and since then the Antinori family has been involved in growing grapes and making wine. It has now been 27 generations in a row, with Marchese Piero Antinori now passing on the legacy to his daughter Albiera Antinori. Now it is up to Abiera to carry on the proud family legacy with her two sisters Alessia and Allegra.
It is a great legacy to bear for the three sisters who have seen their father Piero Antinori change Chianti forever through a visionary combination of talent, stubbornness and curiosity. Despite the great growth that Piero brought to the winery, the family empire has a strong belief that quality is the way forward.
The story of Tenuta Tignanello
The first stone was laid in 1961 through the fantastic collaboration with the prominent wine expert Giacomo Tachis. Piero Antinori himself describes this as a "revisionist" era, exploring new winemaking methods, technological possibilities and ways of maturing wines.
The Sassicaia wine, made from Bordeaux grapes planted by Mario Incisa della Rochetta in Bolgheri just after World War II, was the first breakthrough. Tignanello followed in 1971, when they threw out the green grapes and began maturing in small French barrels. In 1978, there was a small surplus of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at Tenuta Tignanello, which resulted in the creation of the first Solaia wine.
Tuscany
Tuscany is home to Italy's most famous wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese is the pride of the region, and it thrives in Tuscany. Sangiovese is by far the most widely grown grape variety in all of Italy, meaning that the quality ranges from mediocre to world-class, just like in Tuscany.
Tuscany has seven DOCGs, of which Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino are the most famous wine regions in Italy. All seven DOCGs produce excellent wine, but several of the 29 DOCs also produce wine of reasonable quality. Since 1980, Tuscany's wine quality has improved significantly as a result of the 1970 uprising, which has had a major impact on Italy as a wine-producing country.
Super Tuscans
Super Tuscans is a term used for the best wines from Tuscany that have achieved the IGT classification. These wines are considered cult wines, and as a result of this unique designation, the prices of the unique bottles have followed the increasing demand. The term Super Tuscans originated back in the 1970s, when wines that did not meet the local wine requirements in Tuscany were declassified.
These wines were made from grape varieties other than the local varieties, and in terms of style the wines were far from the traditional wines from Tuscany. It is primarily the Bordeaux grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot that are used in these wines, either together with Sangiovese or without it. Other international grape varieties can also be used.
What grapes is Tignanello made from?
Tignanello is made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The exact ratio of the different grape varieties used in each vintage can vary, but Sangiovese is always the dominant grape in a.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is one of Italy's most widely grown red grapes and the country's most widely used grape variety. Some of Italy's best wines have been produced as a result of its extensive use, but most wines are mediocre. The variety itself is therefore not sufficient to ensure quality in itself; rather, the location and the producer must be taken into account, as these are two factors that play a decisive role.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a red wine grape variety that is used both as a blend grape and as a single wine. Cabernet Franc is native to the Bordeaux region of France and is often used in blends with the other grape varieties from the area.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a popular red wine grape that was originally planted in the Bordeaux region of France. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is now widespread throughout the world and is used in many different styles of wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is known for its deep, dark color and strong tannins.
Tignanello wine
The grapes for Tignanello are grown in the estate's vineyards in Gaiole, in the Chianti municipality. The vines are planted on south-facing slopes at an altitude of 400-600 meters above sea level. The climate is characterized by hot summers and cool winters with significant rainfall.
The soil is rich in clay and limestone, which contributes to the wine's structure and unique flavor.
Tignanello is a wine that has been aged for 12 months in French barrels and then another 12 months in bottle before the wine is released.
The color of the popular cult wine from the Florence area has an intense ruby red color. In the aroma you often find notes of red berries such as blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry combined with cedar. The taste of the wine is rich and inviting, where there is often a nice balance between the delicate tannins and the acidity. There is a long and nice aftertaste, which contributes with a good intense feeling.
Reviews
Tignanello has been given high marks by many of the world's most renowned wine writers. Among the most notable are Robert Parker, who previously gave Tignanello 96 points for the 2017 vintage and 97 points for the 2016 vintage. James Suckling has also given this fantastic bottle of wine excellent marks. James Suckling's reviews are around 95 points depending on the vintage.
Robert Parker, James Suckling and other wine writers are quick to criticize wines with the big name that Tignanello is said to have.
Tignanello and food
Tinganello is a wine that can be enjoyed on its own, but also goes exceptionally well with food. We suggest serving a bottle of Tignanello with dark meat, spicy dishes or strong cheeses. Here, Marchesi Antinori's pride is truly allowed to unfold its great depth.
Buy Tignanello
With At Bottles with History we have a wide selection of unique wines, including Tignanello in mature vintages. It is a wine that is perfect as a gift when special occasions are to be celebrated. You can safely choose Tignanello for many occasions.
You can always buy a bottle of Tignanello on our webshop, where we offer fast delivery when ordering wines. If you have a question about a specific vintage, please feel free to send us an email or give us a call.
In addition to Tignanello, we can Bottles with History also offers another Super Tuscan, Sassicaia. If you are looking for other great red wines, we also have Barolo and Barbaresco in over 50 different vintages.
