The Marchesi Antinori name reflects one of the oldest and most respected traditions in wine, with documented involvement in winemaking since 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild, and now spanning 26 generations of family leadership. Over six centuries the family has managed its own vineyards and estates directly, balancing deep respect for local traditions with innovation and quality-driven decisions that helped shape the modern Italian wine world. Through the centuries their legacy has grown from Tuscan roots to a global presence, preserving heritage while advancing viticultural practices and producing iconic wines that reflect both terroir and the Antinori commitment to excellence.
The label was designed by Silvio Coppola in 1974, for the release of the 1971 vintage. It was at a 1973 dinner at the Castello della Sala that Coppola’s name came out. Graphic designer and designer, famous for his essential lamps, rigorous furniture, but also the covers of many Feltrinelli books, Coppola was the right name for that work.
Climate
The 2021 millennium in Chianti Classico will be remembered for the long and patient season: a vintage capable of giving power and grace. The winter was not too cold and characterized by rain until the end of March. The start of spring favored an early sprouting of the vines which, however, subsequently slowed down their vegetative cycle due to the generally cool and dry climate of April. May and June were regular, not too hot and with some rains that guaranteed excellent flowering and tie on all the varieties present in the Tignanello vineyard. The summer tended to be hot and dry, especially in August, a month characterized at the end by some rains that allowed the plants to best start the maturation process. September and October were ideal: sunny, not too hot, windy and characterized by cool nights, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. Overall, 2021 is to be considered among the best vintages ever. The collection operations began in the last decade of September with Sangiovese to end on October 20 with Cabernet.
Vinification
The growing season required, as always, meticulous attention both in the vineyard during harvest and in the cellar upon arrival of the grapes, where careful sorting and initial processing were essential to achieving optimal results. During fermentation in truncated cone shaped tanks, the must was macerated with extreme care to preserve aromatic intensity, enhance color extraction, and manage the sweetness and elegance of the tannins. Racking occurred only after careful daily tastings. Once the skins were separated from the wine, malolactic fermentation took place in barrique to heighten finesse and aromatic complexity. The wine was aged primarily in new French oak barrels, with a small portion in Hungarian oak, for approximately 15 months. After initial aging in separate lots, the components were blended to complete their evolution in wood. Produced predominantly from Sangiovese, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the wine then refined for an additional 12 months in bottle prior to release.
Historical Data
Tignanello is produced exclusively from the vineyard of the same name at Tenuta Tignanello, a 77 hectare southwest facing site with calcareous soils and tufa elements, situated between 350 and 400 meters above sea level. It was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barrique, the first modern red wine in the region to be blended with non traditional varieties such as Cabernet, and among the first Chianti wines to eliminate white grapes entirely. Originally labeled “Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneto Tignanello,” it was first vinified from a single vineyard in the 1970 vintage, at that time containing 20 percent Canaiolo and 5 percent Trebbiano and Malvasia, and aged in small oak casks. With the 1971 vintage it became a Toscana table wine and was officially named Tignanello. Beginning with the 1975 vintage, white grapes were completely removed from the blend. Since 1982 the composition has remained unchanged. Tignanello is produced only in the finest vintages and was not made in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1992, or 2002.
Tasting Notes
Tignanello 2021 presents an intense ruby red color with purple highlights. The nose is complex, offering ripe plum, blackberry, and candied orange peel, layered with dark chocolate, caramel, and licorice, with delicate hints of sweet tobacco completing the bouquet. On the palate it is rich, refined, and structured, defined by vibrant, polished tannins that lead into a long, persistent finish.
Antinori Tignanello Single Vineyard Toscana Red Wine IGT 2021 Notes To Your Senses:
- APPEARANCE: Ruby red with purple highlights
- AROMA: Ripe plum, blackberry, and candied orange peel, layered with dark chocolate, caramel, and licorice, with delicate hints of sweet tobacco
- TASTE: Rich, refined, and structured, defined by vibrant, polished tannins
- FINISH: Long and persistent
- ABV: 14.5%
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