2019 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT Tuscany

"The Marchesi Antinori 2019 Tignanello was born in a classic growing season that saw some cooling summer rains and relatively stress-free conditions. This is an elegant and extremely polished wine made with mostly Sangiovese and smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Here too, the small blending element of Cabernet Franc has been slowly increasing in recent years. The 2019 vintage was born with a good amount of power and tannic structure, and maceration times were slightly reduced as a result. This less extractive approach shapes a polished and elegant wine with plenty of bright berry fruit, cherry, dried mint, blue flower, blood orange and rusty earth. The palate is more compact and streamlined. It shows beautiful grace. After this, the next vintage to watch is the highly anticipated 2021. Drink Date: 2024 - 2045" - Monica Larner Review Date: June 2022

Wine Spectator's Wine #5 of 2022: "A supple, elegant red highlighted by bright cherry, black currant, violet, tobacco, iron and oak spice aromas and flavors. Though fluid and seemingly approachable now, this is well-structured and shows the balance to age. Fine length. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2042." - Bruce Sanderson Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2022 (#5): The 2019 vintage in Tuscany earns a classic rating, with Mother Nature and producer expertise coming together for the win. Antinori's Tignanello, a wine that defined an era and a region, continues to be innovative and remain relevant and exciting. It was a game-changer for Tuscany in the 1970s and a catalyst for the renaissance of Italian wines in general, and since then Tignanello hasn't missed a beat. Marchesi Antinori CEO Renzo Cotarella interprets each vintage to gain greater understanding of the Tignanello vineyard. In 2019, Cotarella attributed the freshness and finesse of Tignanello to adequate rainfall from May to September. In recent vintages, he has fine-tuned the use of oak barrels, while the blending is done after the malolactic fermentation for a better integration of the different grapes. Review Date: October 2022

Extremely perfumed and vivid, with fresh mushrooms, cherry stones and blackberries. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that are long and complete. Fresh acidity. Tangy and vibrant. Lovely is the word. Drink or hold. Review Date: July 2022

"The 2019 Tignanello is one of the most reserved, understated young wines I can remember tasting here. In so many vintages Tignanello is quite showy, but in 2019 the nervous energy and brightness of Sangiovese takes center stage. That's intriguing, because the 2019 blend has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon than normal, a decision made to compensate for some of the lighter qualities in the Sangiovese. With air the 2019 shows gorgeous depth and captivating inner perfume, even if it is clearly still coming together. The 2019 spent about 14 months in oak, with 50% new wood. Things are always in constant evolution at Antinori. This is the first vintage to incorporate some larger 500L barrels, an approach I think will work brilliantly. Drinking window 2027 - 2041" - Antonio Galloni Review Date: February 2022