2020 Tignanello

The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon, spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, 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. "We are gradually increasing the Cabernet Franc in Tignanello to balance the greater richness that today's warmer seasons are giving to our Sangioveses," Antinori CEO Renzo Cotarella told me.

- Antonio Galloni (2023)

This 2019 Marchese Antinori Riserva Chianti Classico Tenuta Tignanello has cooked fruit aromas of baked dark cherry, creamy spice and fresh earth. This wine is round, gentle and medium full bodied, with some cream and oak spice flavors. There is a lingering, refreshing acidity on the finish and sappy, green, black cherry fruit and a little crunchy grip to the tannins. It perhaps lacks some range of flavor in the middle but there is a very nice lingering freshness and chalky definition to the tannins.

- Susan Hulme (January, 2023)

A concentrated red, with black cherry, blackberry, iron, tobacco and vanilla flavors framed by sweet spices and toast accents. Ends with mouthcoating tannins, yet is pretty well-balanced overall. Alluring and classy. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045.

- Bruce Sanderson (2023)

Newly on the market now, the 2020 Tignanello shows a gorgeous bouquet with an upfront and accessible personality. Right off the bat, you get dark cherry, dried raspberry, spice, toasted almond and citrusy blood orange. The blend is normally 75% to 80% Sangiovese with 7% Cabernet Franc. The grape in between, making up 13% to 18%, is Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage is very pretty and won’t require a long wait. The tannins are sweet and silky. “Tignanello proves itself as a great vineyard site in both the challenging and the classic years,” says Managing Director Renzo Cotarella. Annual production falls between 300,000-350,000 bottles.

- Monica Larner (May, 2023)