2021 Marchese Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany

This is one of the big surprises of this tasting and ultimately represents one of the best buys in the entire extended Marchesi Antinori portfolio. The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori shares the DNA of Tignanello. It is Sangiovese kissed with small parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Of course, the wine is more accessible and open compared to Tignanello, and spiritually, this wine is a Chianti Classico. By that I mean that the elegant minerality of these soils and the sunny flavors of its environs are the determining characteristics. You get wildflower, iris, tart fruit and plum. The wine's enhanced mineral character, with dusty white rock, is what adds lasting complexity and depth.

Marchesi Antinori General Manager Renzo Cotarella tells me that 2021 is the best vintage he has ever overseen. Ever. He prefers it to recent classics like 2016 and 2010. There was frost in the spring, and the growing cycle was very long. This is something that most grapes, and especially Sangiovese, need in order to exhibit aromatic depth and flavor complexity. "This is an exceptional year," he says, citing the inner energy certainly exhibited by the wines from 2021.

I agree, mostly, but not unequivocally. I love the precision and tension inherent to these wines, but I didn't encounter that same breathless vertical lift and linearity that I remember so well in 2016, for example. That was a vintage that managed to effortlessly balance both power and elegance, which is by no means an easy feat. To me, 2021 has the elegance but not the same piercing power that you only get in cooler vintages when sugar and phenolic ripening line up seamlessly. So, while I love these wines, especially the Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori and the outstanding Tignanello, my money is still on 2016 as the better vintage, speaking generally. But zoom in on one wine and my money is on the 2021 Tignanello over everything else.

94 points Monica Larner robertparker.com

Marchese Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Chianti Classico Riserva from Tuscany is a refined and complex wine that represents the Antinori family’s deep commitment to quality and innovation in one of Italy’s most celebrated regions. Crafted at the renowned Tenuta Tignanello estate, this Riserva reflects both tradition and modernity, drawing from the iconic Tignanello vineyards that are celebrated for their rich soils and ideal climate. The wine is primarily made from Sangiovese, with small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties, giving it an extra layer of structure and depth.

Winemaker Renzo Cotarella, the driving force behind Antinori’s visionary approach, brings his expertise to the Tenuta Tignanello wines. Under his direction, the Chianti Classico Riserva undergoes meticulous vineyard selection, followed by fermentation in stainless steel to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged in a mix of French and Hungarian oak barrels, which adds subtle complexity and integrates beautifully with the vibrant flavors of the Sangiovese.

In the glass, Marchese Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Chianti Classico Riserva opens with enticing aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and wild herbs, accented by hints of leather and tobacco. The palate is rich and well-balanced, with flavors of dark berry, red currant, and a touch of spice, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lively acidity. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of cedar and earthy minerality. This Riserva is a testament to Antinori’s dedication to excellence, embodying the elegance and power of Chianti Classico.