Six Centuries of Craftsmanship, 50 Years of Tignanello

 

Step into centuries of winemaking history with the 2021 Antinori Tignanello Toscano IGT, a celebration of Italian tradition and innovation. For over six hundred years, the Antinori family has upheld the legacy of Giovanni di Piero Antinori, who joined the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild in 1385.

 

In 1971, the Antinori family started a new tradition, the bottling of a wine they call “Tignanello.” It was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques and the first contemporary red wine in Tuscany to be blended with untraditional varieties (specifically Cabernet). Tignanello is a milestone. 

 

Tignanello celebrates its 50th vintage this year—a symbol of both bold innovation and deep-rooted tradition. Tuscan Renowned for its complexity, balance, and depth, this Super Tuscan consistently receives critical acclaim, offers rich elegance and a taste of history in every glass, and is rightfully sought after by collectors worldwide.

 

98 POINTS – WINE ADVOCATE

First made in 1971, this legendary Italian wine now celebrates its 50th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tignanello! The Marchesi Antinori 2021 Tignanello (made with 79% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc) pulls on all the heartstrings. The wine shows a quintessentially pretty taste profile with tart fruit flavors, redcurrant, tea leaf, heritage rose, crushed white pepper, licorice, nutmeg, clove and chopped mint. It opens slowly to reveal more richness and exuberance with time, becoming downright voluptuous and heady a short while later. The through line, however, remains the bright freshness and minerality of Sangiovese. Compared to the 2018 vintage (which I also loved), this vintage has more overall fruit weight and volume.

98 POINTS – VINOUS

The 2021 Tignanello is every bit as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel and then just after bottling. Silky and polished, with exceptional finesse, the 2021 has all the pedigree to become a modern benchmark for Tignanello and Italian wine more broadly. Bright dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco all soar out of the glass, framed by a discreet touch of French oak that adds raciness. In some vintages, the elements are discernible. In 2021, it is the total harmony of the wine that makes the strongest and deepest impression. The 2021 spent 17 months in wood, three months in neutral oak during the malolactic fermentation and then 14 months (50% new) for the rest of its aging. Superb.