Toscana IGT Tignanello 2021 Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello by Marchesi Antinori is one of the most famous Italian red wines in the world. It is a cornerstone of Tuscan wine and is produced with a selection of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The first vintage of Tignanello was 1970, while since 1982 the composition of the wine has remained the same.

The 2021 vintage

Tignanello 2021 is the result of an exceptional growing season in the Chianti Classico region, characterized by an optimal balance between power and grace. The season began with a mild and rainy winter, followed by a spring that favored early budding. The cool, dry climate of April slowed down the vegetative cycle, but May and June saw ideal conditions which guaranteed excellent flowering and fruit set. The summer was hot and dry, with crucial rains towards the end of August which promoted ideal ripening of the grapes. The perfect conditions of September and October, with sunny, breezy days and cool nights, allowed slow and complete maturation.

The harvesting operations began at the end of September with the Sangiovese and ended in mid-October with the Cabernets. During the harvest, great attention was paid to the selection of the grapes, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, where the first processes were crucial to optimizing the quality of the must. Fermentation took place in truncated cone tanks with meticulous control of color and tannin extraction, maintaining a balance between intensity and elegance. The racking was carried out only after careful daily evaluations. Malolactic fermentation and refinement are followed in French and Hungarian oak barriques, mostly new, for approximately 15 months, enriching the wine with aromatic and structural complexity.

Visually, Tignanello 2021 presents itself with an intense ruby ​​red color and purple reflections. On the nose, the wine is complex with aromas of ripe red fruits such as plum and blackberry, accompanied by notes of candied orange, chocolate, caramel and liquorice. Hints of sweet tobacco add a further layer of complexity. In the mouth, the wine is powerful but balanced, with sweet and vibrant tannins leading to a long and persistent finish, a sign of an excellent vintage.

This wine pairs beautifully with robust dishes such as roast red meat, game and mature cheeses. Its complex and elegant structure also makes it ideal to accompany elaborate dishes based on mushrooms and truffles, enhancing their rich and earthy flavours.

What type of wine is Tignanello?

Tignanello is mainly produced from Sangiovese grapes with a small part of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc . The grapes are harvested and selected between mid-September and mid-October, based on the vintage and the grape variety.

Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature in truncated cone tanks, with great attention to the macerations for the maintenance of aromas, for the extraction of color and for management of the sweetness and elegance of the tannins.

After racking, malolactic fermentation takes place in barriques. The wine subsequently ages in French and Hungarian oak barrels for a period of approximately 14-16 months. The different lots, vinified separately based on the variety, are then assembled to create the final blend. The wine concludes its refinement in bottles, where it remains for a further 12 months before being presented on the market.

In the glass it is characterized by an intense ruby ​​red color. The nose opens with a complex bouquet of spicy notes that mix with aromas of ripe red fruit, smoke and balsamic sensations. The wine is enriched with hints of cherry, plum, rosemary and liquorice. On the palate it is refined and complex, with soft tannins , with excellent balance and an exceptional structure.

The wine pairs perfectly with spaghetti with meat sauce and truffle and mushroom risotto and is ideal for accompanying mature cheeses and game second courses.

Who produces Tignanello wine?

The wine is produced on the Tignanello estate by the historic Antinori family. Since the 1970s, the estate has been a sort of "laboratory" for the winemaking experiments of the Marchesi Antinori, who also introduced new vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The estate is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, on the hills between the Greve and Pesa valleys, and extends over 319 hectares of land, of which approximately 130 hectares are under vineyards.

The most important vineyards of the estate are the Tignanello vineyard, of 57 hectares, and the Solaia vineyard, which are located on the same hill and are characterized by soils deriving from Pliocene marine marls with limestone and shale. Here the plants enjoy warm days and cool nights during the growing season.

The estate consists of a manor house dating back to the sixteenth century, which previously belonged to other rich families such as the Buondelmonti and the Medici. In the 19th century it finally passed to the Antinori family.

What are the best Tignanello vintages?

For both sommeliers and lovers of excellent wines, it is important to know which are the best vintages of such an important label. The premise is that Tignanello is a long-lived wine, which can also be kept for decades in the cellar.

Among the best vintages , 2015, 2016 and 2018 particularly stand out. Each of these vintages demonstrated excellent balance and complexity, achieving high scores from critics and strengthening Tignanello's reputation as one of the best Super Tuscan wines. The new 2021 vintage of Tignanello also particularly stood out, having been awarded 98 points by both Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni. This evaluation highlights the exceptional quality of the wine, positioning it among the most celebrated vintages and recognizing its extraordinary qualities of complexity and finesse.

Why buy Tignanello online?

Buying Tignanello online on Vino.com guarantees the convenient and safe purchase of such an important wine. The only risk is not finding it available, being one of the most prestigious Italian wines around, which runs out quickly every year.

In our online wine shop you can create an alert on this and other products that can sell out quickly: we will notify you when it becomes available again!