Antinori Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2021

Antinori Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2021

 

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Antinori
Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany (Chianti Classico)
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Rich and Spicy
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is a refined expression of Tuscany’s historic winemaking, blending the elegance of Sangiovese with complementary varieties to craft a wine of depth and tradition.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 95 2021
RP Robert Parker 94 2021
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 96 2020
JD Jeb Dunnuck 93 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Produced in the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG, the wine comes from the renowned Tenuta Tignanello estate, which embodies the rich history and innovation of Tuscan viticulture. The region’s unique terroir—comprising limestone-rich soils and optimal elevation—supports the growth of Sangiovese alongside complementary grape varieties. The vineyard’s south-facing slopes ensure consistent ripening under the Tuscan sun.

The 2021 vintage delivered near-perfect growing conditions. After a mild winter and adequate spring rainfall, summer brought dry and warm weather, interspersed with refreshing rains in late August. These conditions fostered excellent vine health and balanced ripening. September and October provided sunny days and cool nights, enabling grapes to achieve optimal maturity. The harvest spanned from late September to mid-October, ensuring high-quality fruit.

Winemaking

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is crafted primarily from Sangiovese, complemented by smaller quantities of other traditional varieties. Harvested grapes were carefully destemmed and crushed, followed by fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 28–30°C (82–86°F). Maceration on the skins, lasting 10–14 days, allowed gentle extraction of aromas, tannins, and structure.

Following fermentation, malolactic fermentation occurred in stainless steel for Sangiovese, while other varieties were transferred to second and third-fill barriques. The wine was aged in a combination of large oak barrels and barriques until spring 2023, ensuring a seamless integration of flavors. Bottling commenced in July 2023, resulting in a Riserva that balances tradition with elegance.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright ruby red.
  • Aroma: A bouquet of fresh pomegranates, cherries, and orange peel, accented by hints of ginger, lavender, and rose petals, with balsamic undertones of white musk.
  • Palate: Savory and structured, with supple tannins leading to an expansive finish marked by warm notes of cocoa and a vibrant acidity.

Did You Know?

The Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva was reimagined to honor the Antinori family’s long-standing history in Tuscany. First produced in 1928, this Riserva is now crafted with a focus on balancing innovation and tradition, showcasing the evolution of Tuscan winemaking.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Pappardelle al Cinghiale (Wild Boar Ragu): Complements the wine’s robust structure and earthy undertones.
  • Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary: The savory tannins enhance the herbaceous flavors of the lamb.
  • Aged Pecorino Toscano: The wine’s vibrant acidity pairs beautifully with the cheese’s nutty and sharp profile.
  • Porcini Mushroom Risotto: The floral and balsamic notes harmonize with the dish’s umami richness.

History of Antinori

In 1385, the Antinori family became part of the wine business when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Vintner's Guild.

Since 1966, Marchese Piero Antinori, son of Marchese Niccolò, has run the company with his daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, also playing an active role.

For more than 26 generations now, Antinori's philosophy has been based on the combination of both tradition and innovation: to preserve Italy's enological traditions and to experiment innovation in winemaking, giving each wine tester the pleasure of discovering a unique alliance.

Vineyards

Each of Antinori's vineyards and estates has its own individual character, its own history and its own universe perceived and discovered in the tasting of each of their fine wines.

Badia a Passignano

Antinori's vineyards for red wine are mostly located in Tuscany, in the area of Chianti Classico where it owns three estates, total 575 acres: Tignanello, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano.

White wine is produced in Umbria in the Orvieto Classico region, at Castello della Sala estate, and in Tuscany at Monteloro estate.

Red wine comes from the Montepulciano, Bolgheri, Montalcino, Castiglione della Pescaia and Sovana areas.

Besides Tuscany and Umbria, Antinori is also present in Lombardy, Piedmont, Apulia, California, Washington State, Hungary and Malta where it produces both red and white wines.

The Tignanello and Solaia Estate - The uniqueness of a land and the history of a great wine

The Tignanello estate is a total of 319 hectares in size of which 127 hectares are planted with vines. In particular, two vineyards are real treasures:

  • Solaia: 20 hectares
  • Tignanello: 57 hectares

The area is very particular due to the high altitude being over 400 metres above sea level, the vineyards having a southwest exposure to the sun, the microclimate and the soil, which is marine loam based with a rich addition of alberese and galestro rock dating back to the Eocene and Miocene eras.

Viticulture

The growing season here is characterized by hot days and cool nights.

In the early 1970ies, the Tignanello estate was, to some extent, the viticultural research ground for Antinori. Investigations into vine growing concentrated on the improvement of the grapes to obtain a higher concentration and softer tannins. This was achieved through planting density, foliage control and selection of the Cabernet and Sangiovese.

In the oenological field, the goals were to achieve wines with a well-defined character.

This was accomplished by a rigorous selection of the grapes during harvest and when received at the winery, gentle crushing of the grapes with as little stress as possible, and by allowing malolactic fermentation to occur in barrel.

When the first production of Solaia began, more than thirty years ago, the grapes came from a plot of land that was within the larger Tignanello vineyard. The same particular characteristics as the original vineyard, such as the altitude, the soil type and the good exposure to the sun (hence the name Solaia), are also found in a nearby vineyard. This vineyard has been integrated into the original vineyard since 1997.

Currently, the Solaia vineyard is 20 hectares and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (15 hectares), Cabernet Franc (1 hectare) and Sangiovese (4 hectares) with an average age of 15 years.

The density per hectare varies from a minimum of 5,500 to a maximum of 7,200 and the low-spurred cordon training system is used. Over the years, there has been a progressive renewal of the Solaia vineyard. This has been accomplished by utilizing the many years of knowledge and ever-increasing experience of the estate's land to highlight the personality of Solaia.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2021)
This ripe style is fresh and harmonious, delivering plum, cherry and boysenberry fruit, with accents of earth, iron and eucalyptus. Supple in texture, with a beautifully integrated structure and long, complex aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2043.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2021)
This is one of the big surprises of this tasting and ultimately represents one of the best buys in the entire extended Marchesi Antinori portfolio. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori shares the DNA of Tignanello. It is Sangiovese kissed with small parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Of course, the wine is more accessible and open compared to Tignanello, and spiritually, this wine is a Chianti Classico. By that I mean that the elegant minerality of these soils and the sunny flavors of its environs are the determining characteristics. You get wildflower, iris, tart fruit and plum. The wine's enhanced mineral character, with dusty white rock, is what adds lasting complexity and depth.Rating: 94+

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 96 Points (2020)
A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon, spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. The Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 93 Points (2020)
Produced from vines of the Tenuta Tignanello estate, the 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva offers a flashier and riper style with notes of Marasca cherry liqueur, polished leather, toasted vanilla bean, and licorice candy. It is full bodied without being heavy and is rich with plum, cedar, sage, and potting soil. Raised in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels for approximately one year, the oak imprint is certainly felt but is very well managed, and the wine wears it well. Drink 2025-2040.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2020)
The opulent nose of vanilla, milk chocolate, coconut shavings and Luxardo cherries is echoed and then exalted on a palate with high tones of Bing cherries and raspberries and low notes of dark chocolate and black licorice, and tautly wound tannins promising longevity.

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