Marchesi Antinori Tignanello 2021 is an iconic, groundbreaking Super Tuscan red wine produced from the single Tignanello vineyard in the heart of Chianti Classico. Marking the 50th anniversary vintage of this historic wine, it opens with rich aromas of ripe red cherry, blackcurrant, blood orange, pipe tobacco, crushed pepper, and graphite. The palate is dense, lively, and impeccably structured, offering layers of dark berry fruit, sweet spices, fine-grained tannins, and a long, savory finish.
Food Pairing: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, roasted leg of lamb, wild boar ragù, braised beef short ribs, and long-aged Pecorino cheese.
98 Points - James Suckling
The density and structure is very impressive here, with blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant character. It’s medium-bodied with vertical tannins that take you down and deep, with undertones of bark and black earth. Muscular and toned with finesse and seemingly endless length. A terrific Tignanello that reminds me of the legendary 1997, but more precise. Needs two or three years to open.
98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
First made in 1971, this legendary Italian wine now celebrates its 50th birthday. Happy Birthday, Tignanello! The Marchesi Antinori 2021 Tignanello (made with 79% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc) pulls on all the heartstrings. To be released in May, the wine shows a quintessentially pretty taste profile with tart fruit flavors, redcurrant, tea leaf, heritage rose, crushed white pepper, licorice, nutmeg, clove and chopped mint. It opens slowly to reveal more richness and exuberance with time, becoming downright voluptuous and heady a short while later. The through line, however, remains the bright freshness and minerality of Sangiovese. Compared to the 2018 vintage (which I also loved), this vintage has more overall fruit weight and volume.
97 Points - Wine Spectator
Laced with pure cherry, strawberry, graphite and tobacco aromas and flavors, this red is beautifully supported by a backbone of vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. Everything is framed by vanilla and toasty oak in the best sense, revealing harmony, with a long, orange-tinged finish and, yes, even drinkability at this stage. Best to give this a few more years in the bottle. Best from 2027 through 2045.
