Who makes it?

Tignanello is a wine that set tongues on fire in the 1970s. After all, the Antinori family has a centuries long habit of delivering wine to glasses around the world. They were already instrumental in the new schism forming in Tuscan wines over in Bolgheri at the time with their cousins, the Rocchetta family. Why stop in Bolgheri? Why stop just at being part of the Sassicaia led Super Tuscan revolution? Why not revolutionise Chianti too?

So, they did. 

Tenuta Tignanello is the name of the estate. Incidentally, the estate’s vineyards also produce the highly collectible red wine, Solaia. It is a large estate between the river valleys of Greve and Pesa. Of course, in keeping with the notoriety of the estate it is not just Sangiovese that the Antinori family grow there. They also have planted the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is those varieties that have set the new standard for the region.

You will also find on wine shelves the Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva that comes from these vineyards as well. 

What set those tongues wagging?

According to Antinori  “The wine, originally called "Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneto Tignanello" (a Chianti Classico Riserva from the Tignanello vineyard), was produced for the first time from a single vineyard parcel in 1970, when the blend contained 20% of Canaiolo and 5% of Trebbiano and Malvasia, both white grapes, and the wine aged in small oak barrels. In 1971 it became a Tuscan red table wine rather than a Chianti Classico, and was called Tignanello”

The decision to not include white grape varieties was confirmed in 1975. This plus the decision to mature the wines in barriques rather than the usual large format oak and the use of the Bordeaux grapes meant that Tignanello was a ‘declassified’ Chianti wine. It could no longer use the term Chianti on the label. Let alone ‘Chianti Classico’. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Today, Chianti Classico can use a set portion of these international grapes. Or, perhaps as it seems more commonly at the moment, 100% Sangiovese. And while the use of barriques feels tempting, I believe that many producers prefer the larger format barrels to this day.

How do they make it?

Depending on the vintage, Tignanello sits around 75 - 80% Sangiovese. Then there is a portion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.  For instance, the 2021 vintage has 13% Cabernet Sauvignon & 7% Cabernet Franc.  The Chianti Classic regulations specify that red wines must be at least 80% Sangiovese or more. 

The wine spends around 15 months in French oak barrels that are mostly new. Some Hungarian oak is also used. The family hold the wine for at least 12 months after bottling before release.

What does it taste like?

The 2021 sits in the glass with a purple gleam to the ruby depths. The nose is smoky with ripe plums, black fruits – blackberries and blackcurrants and some cigar & tobacco notes. It is full bodied. The tannins are grainy, but they are also velvety as the graininess dissipates. The fruit is concentrated and on the palate the oak becomes toasty. The finish is of chocolate, raisins, spice and plums. 

As this is a wine that has noticeable tannins, it is good to remember that it is a wine that cellars very well. I would recommend that if you want to drink this wine young, that you should put that decanter to good use.

What to drink it with?

If you choose to drink the Tignanello young, you will want to match it with something meaty such as an Italian slow cooked stew. 

Cheese

Tignanello will be delicious with a mature hard cheese such as Parmigiano Reggiano, or even a Pecorino or Manchego. If you prefer a creamier cheese, Cheddar is good. A truffled pecorino or cheddar is a very attractive alternative.  

Quickie review « Tignanello is one of the first batch of unclassified Chianti Classico wines. It is a plush sneak peak into history »

Country of Origin:  Tuscany IGP, Italy
Tasting Date: February 2025
Price:  UK £150 | €144 | US$ 150 ++ | AU$450
Drink: now – 10+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Italian red wines such as this Antinori Tignanello, why not check out:
Italian Red Revival - Part 1! It is not all cut and dried
Italian Red Revival - Part 2! It's all going south

Visit antinori for more.