Toscana IGT Tignanello 2022 Marchesi Antinori

Marchesi Antinori's Tignanello is one of the world's most famous Italian red wines. It's a cornerstone of Tuscan winemaking and is made with a selection of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The first vintage of Tignanello was 1970, while the blend has remained the same since 1982.

The 2021 vintage

Tignanello 2022 is the result of a Chianti Classico growing season characterized by below-average rainfall until August and a generally warm spring and summer, with June and July experiencing temperatures above historically high levels. In these climatic conditions, the vines were able to self-regulate, ensuring regular budbreak and flowering and weathering the hottest months with ease. At the start of veraison, they were in an ideal vegetative and productive state. The rains and resulting drop in temperatures in mid-August favored excellent temperature ranges between day and night, allowing for a smooth start to ripening. The excellent weather conditions in the autumn months ensured a harvest of outstanding quality.

The Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc were harvested around mid-September, and the Cabernet Sauvignon in the first week of October. The climatic conditions during the harvest required, as usual, great care, both in the vineyard during harvesting and in the cellar upon arrival of the grapes, to achieve an optimal final result. During fermentation in truncated cone-shaped tanks, the must was macerated with great attention to preserving aromas, extracting color, and managing the sweetness and elegance of the tannins. The wine was drawn off only after careful daily tastings. Once the skins were separated from the wine, malolactic fermentation began in barriques to enhance the finesse and complexity of the aromas. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, with a very small portion in Hungarian oak, mostly new, for a total period of just over 13 months. After initial aging in separate lots, they were blended to complete the oak maturation. The wine aged for a further 12 months in bottle before being released for sale.

Visually, the 2022 Tignanello displays an intense ruby red color with purple highlights. The nose is captivating with notes of cherry, ripe black cherry, and pomegranate seeds, which, combined with delicate hints of violet, lead to fresh balsamic sensations. Elegant hints of vanilla and cotton candy complete the bouquet. On the palate, sweet and savory tannins lend dynamism, alternating density and freshness that culminate in a long finish, echoing the notes perceived on the nose.

This wine pairs beautifully with robust dishes such as roast red meats, game, and mature cheeses. Its complex and elegant structure also makes it ideal for pairing with elaborate mushroom and truffle dishes, enhancing their rich, earthy flavors.

What type of wine is Tignanello?

Tignanello is made primarily from Sangiovese grapes, with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc . The grapes are harvested and selected between mid-September and mid-October, depending on the vintage and grape variety.

Fermentation takes place in truncated cone-shaped tanks, the musts were macerated with great attention to maintaining the aromas, extracting the color and managing the sweetness and elegance of the tannins.

The wine was drawn off only after careful daily tastings. Once the skins were separated from the wine, malolactic fermentation began in barriques to enhance the finesse and complexity of the aromas. The aging process took place in French oak barrels, with a very small percentage in Hungarian oak, mostly new, for a total period of just over 13 months. After initial aging in separate lots, they were blended to complete their evolution in wood.

In the glass, it displays an intense ruby red color with purple highlights. On the nose, it opens with a complex bouquet of spicy notes that blend with aromas of ripe red fruit, smoke, and balsamic sensations. The wine is enriched with hints of cherry, ripe black cherry, and pomegranate seeds. On the palate, it is refined and complex, with sweet tannins , excellent balance, and an exceptional structure that concludes with a long finish.

The wine pairs perfectly with spaghetti with meat sauce and risotto with truffles and mushrooms and is ideal to accompany mature cheeses and game main courses.

Who produces Tignanello wine?

The wine is produced on the Tenuta Tignanello estate by the historic Antinori family. Since the 1970s, the estate has been a sort of "laboratory" for the Marchesi Antinori's winemaking experiments, also introducing new grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The estate is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, on the hills between the Greve and Pesa valleys, and extends over 319 hectares of land, of which approximately 130 hectares are planted with vineyards.

The estate's most important vineyards are the 57-hectare Tignanello vineyard and the Solaia vineyard, located on the same hill and characterized by soils derived from Pliocene marine marl with limestone and schist. Here, the vines enjoy warm days and cool nights during the growing season.

The estate consists of a 16th-century manor house, which previously belonged to other wealthy families such as the Buondelmonti and the Medici. In the 19th century, it finally passed to the Antinori family.

What are the best Tignanello vintages?

For both sommeliers and fine wine enthusiasts, it's important to know the best vintages of such an important label. The premise is that Tignanello is a long-lived wine, which can be kept for decades in the cellar.

Among the best vintages , 2015, 2016, and 2018 particularly stand out. Each of these vintages demonstrated excellent balance and complexity, earning high scores from critics and strengthening Tignanello's reputation as one of the finest Super Tuscan wines. The 2021 Tignanello also stood out, receiving 98 points from both Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni. This rating underscores the wine's exceptional quality, placing it among the most celebrated vintages and recognizing its extraordinary qualities of complexity and finesse.

Why buy Tignanello online?

Buying Tignanello online at Vino.com guarantees a convenient and secure purchase of such an important wine. The only risk is not finding it available, as it's one of the most prestigious Italian wines available, and it sells out quickly every year.

In our online wine shop, you can create an alert for this and other products that may sell out quickly: we'll let you know when it becomes available again!