Antinori Tignanello 2023

Antinori Tignanello 2023 is a 750ml Super Tuscan red wine from the Chianti Classico hills of Tuscany, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV. Widely regarded as one of the wines that launched the Super Tuscan movement in the early 1970s, Tignanello remains a benchmark for Sangiovese blended with international varieties under the IGT Toscana designation.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2023  |  Producer: Marchesi Antinori  |  Classification: IGT Toscana

Production & Heritage

Marchesi Antinori, founded in 1385 and now spanning 26 generations of family ownership, produces Tignanello from the 57-hectare Tignanello vineyard within the 319-hectare Tenuta Tignanello estate, situated between the Val di Pesa and Val di Greve in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone. The blend for recent vintages has been approximately 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged for approximately 12 to 14 months in small French and Hungarian oak barriques, followed by an additional period of bottle aging before release. Tignanello was revolutionary upon its debut in 1971: it was among the first Sangiovese-based wines from the region to incorporate Cabernet varieties, the first to be aged in barriques rather than large Slavonian oak casks, and the first Chianti-area red to eliminate white grapes from the blend entirely.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and ripe plum rise immediately, followed by layers of dried violet, tobacco leaf, and subtle baking spice. A thread of cedar and graphite from oak aging adds structural complexity to the nose.

Taste: The palate entry is concentrated with black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, supported by firm but polished tannins. At mid-palate, savory notes of dried herbs and leather emerge alongside a streak of bright Sangiovese acidity. The wine builds toward a peak of dark chocolate and espresso that reflects the barrique influence without overwhelming the fruit core.

Finish: Long and layered, with lingering impressions of sweet tobacco, iron minerality, and dark fruit. The tannins carry a fine-grained texture that suggests ageability while remaining approachable in youth.

How to Drink Tignanello

Tignanello is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass, ideally after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to allow the wine to fully open. It shines when enjoyed on its own or alongside food. A Sangria Rossa made with Tignanello is an indulgent take on the classic, as the wine's structure and dark fruit intensity hold up against citrus and spice additions. A Kalimotxo-style highball using quality cola, while unconventional, takes advantage of the wine's bold tannins. For a refined aperitif variation, a wine-based Negroni substituting Tignanello for vermouth creates a deeply savory, fruit-forward cocktail.

Best For

• Gifting a wine collector or Italian wine enthusiast seeking a benchmark Super Tuscan vintage
• Anchoring a formal Tuscan-themed dinner alongside grilled meats and aged cheeses
• Cellaring for medium- to long-term aging as part of a curated Italian wine collection
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with one of Italy's most storied wine names

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tignanello 2023 taste like? Tignanello 2023 is driven by concentrated dark cherry and blackcurrant flavors with savory undertones of leather, dried herbs, and tobacco. Polished tannins and bright Sangiovese acidity provide a structured yet balanced profile with a long, mineral-tinged finish.

How does Tignanello compare to Sassicaia? While both are iconic Super Tuscans, Tignanello is Sangiovese-dominant (approximately 80%) and rooted in the Chianti Classico terroir, giving it a brighter acidity and more herbaceous character. Sassicaia, produced by Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend that tends toward a more Bordeaux-like structure with deeper cassis and graphite notes.

Is Tignanello good for sipping neat? Tignanello is an outstanding wine for contemplative sipping on its own, particularly after decanting, as its complex layers of fruit, spice, and mineral notes unfold gradually in the glass. Its balanced acidity and refined tannins make it equally rewarding with or without food.

Where is Tignanello made? Tignanello is produced by Marchesi Antinori at the Tenuta Tignanello estate, located in the Chianti Classico zone of central Tuscany, Italy, between the Val di Pesa and Val di Greve valleys. The estate sits at elevations between 350 and 400 meters above sea level on galestro and alberese soils.

What foods pair well with Tignanello? Bistecca alla fiorentina is the quintessential pairing, as the wine's tannins and acidity cut through the charred, fatty richness of the steak. Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano complements the savory, umami depth in the wine. Wild boar ragù served over pappardelle mirrors the wine's earthy, herbal complexity. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary echo the dried herb character in the mid-palate. Roasted porcini mushrooms bring out the wine's underlying minerality and forest-floor nuances.

What sizes does Tignanello come in? Tignanello is commonly available in 750ml bottles and is also produced in 375ml half bottles, 1.5L magnums, and larger formats including 3L double magnums for select vintages.

Is Tignanello worth the price? Tignanello positions firmly in the premium tier of Italian red wine, and its pricing reflects its status as a founding Super Tuscan with over five decades of critical acclaim and consistent quality. For collectors and serious Italian wine enthusiasts, it represents strong value relative to other wines of comparable prestige and aging potential.

Why Tignanello?

Tignanello is not simply a prestigious label — it is the wine that redefined what Tuscan red wine could be. When Marchese Piero Antinori and winemaker Giacomo Tachis released the first vintage in 1971, they broke with centuries of Chianti tradition by blending Sangiovese with Cabernet, eliminating white grapes, and aging in French barriques — decisions that were considered radical at the time and are now standard practice across the region. The 2023 vintage continues this legacy from a single estate vineyard in the Chianti Classico heartland, combining the bright acidity and cherry-driven character of Sangiovese with the structural depth of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Few wines in the world can claim to have fundamentally reshaped their region's winemaking identity, and Tignanello earns that distinction with every vintage.