Marchesi Antinori Tignanello 2021

The Marchesi Antinori estate is one of the most famous wine producers in Tuscany and a major player in the Italian wine industry. The company's history goes back more than six centuries, and its influence on modern viticulture is considerable. 

Founded in 1385, the Antinori family has distinguished itself from the outset through its expertise in wine production. The Marchesi Antinori estate is located in Tuscany, more precisely in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the gently rolling hillsides between the Greve and Pesa river valleys. It extends over an area of 319 hectares (788 acres) of which about 165 (407 acres) are dedicated to vines. This estate has played a pioneering role in the evolution of Italian viticulture. However, it was in the 1970s that the Antinori family's impact was strengthened with the creation of Tignanello, an emblematic wine that would mark the history of wine in Tuscany and Italy. 

Tignanello was the first Sangiovese wine to be barrel-aged, and one of the first to break away from the strict rules of DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines by integrating non-traditional grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This innovation paved the way for the creation of a new type of wine, the “Super Tuscans”, wines that are not subject to traditional appellations and are now among the most sought-after in the world.

The estate is still managed by the Antinori family, mainly under the direction of Piero Antinori, the current president, who has modernized the estate while respecting its traditions. He has been at the forefront of the development of Super Tuscans, launching projects such as Tignanello and Solaia, integrating new oenological practices and paying particular attention to sustainability. 

The 2021 vintage of Tignanello is a much-anticipated cuvée, a symbol of the estate's excellence. This wine is a blend of three main grape varieties: Sangiovese (the emblematic grape of Tuscany), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Tignanello 2021 is ruby red with intense violet highlights. The nose is complex, with notes of ripe plums, blackberries and candied orange peel leading to pleasant hints of dark chocolate, caramel and licorice. Sweet tobacco notes complete this impressive bouquet. The palate is rich, sophisticated, intense and characterized by supple, vibrant tannins, followed by a long, persistent finish. This vintage offers a fine balance between fruitiness and tannic structure. Overall, the 2021 vintage is considered one of the best ever.

"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. To be released in May, 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." - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, (03/21/2024), Ratings: 98, Drink: 2025-2048

"N°8 TOP 100 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 gals, 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." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (9/2024), Ratings: 98, Drink: 2026-2038