Tignanello (2022)

About this wine

Tignanello 2022 presents a deep ruby red color with purple hues. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, and pomegranate, complemented by floral notes of violets and hints of vanilla. The palate is full-bodied and well-structured, featuring supple tannins and a fresh acidity that enhances the wine's complexity. This vintage is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc, a composition that has been consistent since 1982. Tignanello was one of the first Italian wines to incorporate non-traditional grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and to be aged in small oak barrels, marking a significant innovation in Italian winemaking.

About the grape

In the early 1970s, the Antinori family revolutionized Tuscan winemaking by introducing Tignanello, a blend that combined the native Sangiovese grape with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Sangiovese, known for its bright acidity and red fruit flavors, forms the backbone of this wine. The addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape celebrated for its deep color and tannic structure, and Cabernet Franc, known for its aromatic qualities, added complexity and aging potential. This innovative blend broke away from traditional Chianti regulations, leading to the creation of the 'Super Tuscan' category and significantly influencing modern Italian winemaking.

Quick facts

• 🍷 Tignanello was the first Sangiovese wine to be aged in small oak barrels, marking a significant innovation in Italian winemaking.
• 🍇 Introduced in 1971, Tignanello was among the first red wines from the Chianti Classico region to exclude white grapes from its blend.
• 🌄 The Tignanello vineyard spans approximately 140 acres (57 hectares) with limestone-rich soils and a southwestern exposure, providing ideal conditions for grape cultivation.
• 🍷 The 2022 vintage of Tignanello is composed of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc, showcasing a harmonious blend of traditional and international grape varieties.
• 🏰 The Antinori family, producers of Tignanello, have been involved in winemaking since 1385, making them one of the oldest family-owned wine producers in the world.

Palate profile

Producer

Marchesi Antinori, established in 1385 by Giovanni di Piero Antinori, is one of the world's oldest family-owned wineries, now led by the 26th generation. The family has been instrumental in the 'Super Tuscan' revolution, notably with their Tignanello wine introduced in 1971. Their state-of-the-art winery in Bargino, Tuscany, inaugurated in 2012, seamlessly blends innovative architecture with the surrounding landscape. Beyond winemaking, the Antinori family has a longstanding tradition of supporting the arts, exemplified by their Antinori Art Project, which commissions contemporary artworks for their estates.