Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2021
‘The density and structure is very impressive here, with blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant character. It’s medium-bodied with vertical tannins that take you down and deep, with undertones of bark and black earth. Muscular and toned with finesse and seemingly endless length. A terrific Tignanello that reminds me of the legendary 1997, but more precise. Needs two or three years to open.’ - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 98/100 (Aug 2024)

‘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. 2025-2048’ - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 98/100 (Mar 2024)

‘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. 2027-2051’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 98/100 (Dec 2024)

2020
'A big, concentrated Tignanello, exhibiting plenty of tannins but lacking the flesh and complexity of the best vintages. Cherry and plum fruit fill the dense frame. -- Non-blind Tignanello vertical (October 2019). Drink now through 2030.’ - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (May 2020)

‘The 2000 Tignanello is showing more Cabernet than usual in the nose, a bit to the detriment of the Sangiovese. Dark and intense in color with much plum and cassis fruit along with the graphite and Cabernet herbs, it is solid, tarry, minerally, and dense on the palate. The tannins are less round and supple than in better vintages, but this is a 2000. 2006-2015.’ - Daniel Thomases, Wine Advocate (Apr 2004)

2019
‘The Marchesi Antinori 2019 Tignanello was born in a classic growing season that saw some cooling summer rains and relatively stress-free conditions. This is an elegant and extremely polished wine made with mostly Sangiovese and smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Here too, the small blending element of Cabernet Franc has been slowly increasing in recent years. The 2019 vintage was born with a good amount of power and tannic structure, and maceration times were slightly reduced as a result. This less extractive approach shapes a polished and elegant wine with plenty of bright berry fruit, cherry, dried mint, blue flower, blood orange and rusty earth. The palate is more compact and streamlined. It shows beautiful grace. After this, the next vintage to watch is the highly anticipated 2021. 2024-2045’ - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Jun 2022)

‘A supple, elegant red highlighted by bright cherry, black currant, violet, tobacco, iron and oak spice aromas and flavors. Though fluid and seemingly approachable now, this is well-structured and shows the balance to age. Fine length. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2042.’ - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Oct 2022)

‘The 2019 Tignanello is one of the most reserved, understated young wines I can remember tasting here. In so many vintages Tignanello is quite showy, but in 2019 the nervous energy and brightness of Sangiovese takes center stage. That’s intriguing, because the 2019 blend has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon than normal, a decision made to compensate for some of the lighter qualities in the Sangiovese. With air the 2019 shows gorgeous depth and captivating inner perfume, even if it is clearly still coming together. The 2019 spent about 14 months in oak, with 50% new wood. Things are always in constant evolution at Antinori. This is the first vintage to incorporate some larger 500L barrels, an approach I think will work brilliantly. 2027-2041’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 95/100 (Feb 2022)

2018
‘Fragrant and incredibly refined, this classy red exhibits enticing scents including ripe berry, fine tobacco blend, camphor and dark spice. Smooth and enveloping, the delicious palate boasts a winning combination of creaminess and vibrancy, delivering juicy black cherry, red cherry, licorice and dried mint framed in polished, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well-balanced. 2023–2033.’ - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 97/100 (May 2022)

‘A dark, brooding style, yet focused on the black cherry, blackberry, spice, tobacco and iron aromas and flavors. Rich, dense and vibrant, with a long, detailed aftertaste, showing superb focus and balance. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Better than previously reviewed. Drink now through 2042.’ - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Apr 2022)

‘The 2018 Tignanello is every bit as impressive as it was when I last tasted it earlier in the year. Blood orange, spice, black cherry and mocha lend an alluring exotic character to a Tignanello that sizzles with tension and energy. Silky, creamy contours play off classically mid-weight structure. Beguiling and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2018 is a total knock-out.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 97/100 (Sep 2021)

'This wine brought to mind precise imagery of tailcoats, striped dress pants, wingtip collar shirts and other gentlemen's fashion choices from the Roaring Twenties. Sporting a retro but classic personality, the Marchesi Antinori 2018 Tignanello is quite the dapper and jovial wine that hits the market just as much of the world is emerging from a dark chapter of lockdowns and coronavirus curfews. I love the optimism that springs bright with such clarity and detail from within this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The 2016 vintage was a benchmark for sure, but I prefer the 2018, thanks to that tinge of nostalgia or emotion that is so deftly rendered in this cool, long growing season. 2023-2045’ - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 98/100 (May 2021)

2016
'Those Bordeaux varieties play a significant role on the nose, lending strong blackcurrant fruit on the palate, combining beautifully with the black cherry and violet of the Sangiovese. There's plenty of acidity on the palate, succulent oak and youthful black fruit with superb persistence. Just a hint of leather and liquorice on the finish (which increases as the wine develops in the glass), and perhaps a medicinal sort of character too. Very finely tannic. Perfectly chiselled, with impeccable fruit to enjoy now, but a great deal of complexity waiting for the future.' - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18+/20 (Aug 2020)

'This fragrant, savory red carries aromas of underbrush, plum, blue flower, cocoa and camphor on the nose. The polished palate boasts juicy Marasca cherry, ripe blackberry, licorice, tobacco and an appealing hint of game. Silky tannins and bright acidity keep it balanced and elegant. Drink through 2036.' - Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 99/100 (May 2020)

'The 2016 Tignanello is flat out stunning. Dark, dense and resonant, the 2016 is a wonderfully complete wine that will provide readers with decades of pure drinking pleasure. The 2016 is especially dark and brooding, and yet the tannins are incredibly polished to the point of being perceptible. In the glass, the 2016 is complete and regal, perhaps because of the super-classic blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The pedigree of the vintage comes through in the wine's extraordinary balance and total sense of finesse. I don't think there is another wine anywhere in the world made entirely from estate fruit that can match Tignanello for quality, consistency and value within its peer group of top-flight reds.' - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 98/100 (Jul 2019)

2015
'Not so different from Solaia! Quite rich - so much richer than a Chianti Classico! The Cabernet really makes its presence felt.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Jun 2023)

'Once again, the 2015 Tignanello is stunning. Sweet, floral notes give the 2015 striking aromatic intensity to play off a core of red Sangiovese fruit. In 2015, the Sangiovese is a bit higher than the norm, which comes through in the wine's flavor profile. The tannins are also a bit biting at this stage, but that won't be an issue in time. Bright red cherry, plum, blood orange mint and sweet floral notes build into a finish laced with energy and tension. The 2015 is utterly captivating. That's all there is to it.' - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 98/100 (Jul 2019)

'The 2015 Tignanello is a wine that opens, like a fully blossomed rose, right in front of you. This vintage is immediately accessible, generous and opulent. The wine will surely flesh out and gain focus with more bottle age, but one of the best qualities of this vintage is just how beautiful the wine tastes straight out of the gate. The fruit is beautifully ripe with fresh blackberry and cherry nuances, spice, leather, sweet tobacco and smoke. Up until this vintage, the various blending components that make up Tignanello were vinifed in separate lots. Starting with 2015, the wine is blended sooner in order to achieve better overall integration.' - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Sep 2018)