Marchesi Antinori Tignanello

About

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello is a highly acclaimed Italian wine renowned for its quality and consistency. Produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard in Chianti Classico, this wine is crafted from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard's limestone-rich soils and southwestern exposure at 350-400 meters above sea level create ideal conditions for grape ripening. Tignanello was revolutionary in its time, being the first Sangiovese wine aged in small oak barrels and one of the first red wines in the region to exclude white grapes from its blend. Tignanello's production is limited to favorable vintages, ensuring that only the best grapes are used. The winemaking process involves fermentation in truncated conical tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in small oak barrels. Aging occurs in French and Hungarian oak for about 15 months, with an additional 12 months in the bottle. This results in a complex wine with notes of ripe fruits, spices, and elegant tannins. Tignanello is classified as a Toscana IGT, reflecting its non-traditional blend and aging methods that broke from local regulations. Its global acclaim stems from its profound complexity and ability to compete with top Bordeaux wines.