Antinori Tignanello 2023

Antinori Tignanello 2023 is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV Super Tuscan red wine from Tuscany's Chianti Classico zone, classified as Toscana IGT. The 2023 vintage earned 97 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling, placing it among the most acclaimed recent releases from one of Italy's most historically significant estates.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy (Toscana IGT)  |  Blend: 80% Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc  |  Estate: Marchesi Antinori, Tenuta Tignanello

Production & Heritage

Marchesi Antinori, a family-owned estate with over six centuries of winemaking history, produces Tignanello exclusively from its namesake 77-hectare vineyard situated between the Greve and Pesa valleys at 350–400 meters elevation on limestone-rich soils with southwestern exposure. Tignanello holds a singular place in Italian wine history: it was the first Sangiovese aged in French barriques, the first contemporary Chianti-zone red to blend Sangiovese with Cabernet varieties, and one of the first reds in the region to eliminate white grapes from the blend entirely. The 2023 underwent fermentation in stainless steel at a maximum of 31°C with délestage and gentle pump-overs, followed by malolactic fermentation and 12 months of aging in barriques, then a full year of bottle aging before release. Notably, Tignanello is only bottled in vintages the estate deems worthy — it was not produced in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1992, or 2002.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The wine opens with an intense ruby-red color and an expressive, layered nose. Ripe cherries, pomegranates, and blood oranges lead into delicate hibiscus and violet florals, followed by sweet cocoa, pencil lead, white pepper, and cranberry undertones.

Taste: Entry on the palate is precise and pure, immediately revealing a juicy, mouth-filling mid-palate with silky, supple tannins. The wine strikes a balance of finesse over power — bright Sangiovese-driven red fruit anchors the core while floral and spice notes weave through with refreshing acidity. The 2023 blend includes a touch more Cabernet Franc than previous vintages, contributing to its open-knit, forward character.

Finish: Long and savory, with distinct notes of blood orange and roasted hazelnuts that linger well beyond the last sip. A graphite-like mineral thread and refined tannin structure carry the finish with precision and length.

How to Drink Tignanello 2023

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F), ideally decanted 30–60 minutes before drinking; this is a wine that rewards patient, attentive sipping on its own. A Negroni Sbagliato riff using a splash of Tignanello in place of sparkling wine creates a richer, fruit-driven aperitivo. For a Sangria Rossa, the wine's cherry and blood orange aromatics amplify citrus and stone fruit additions naturally. In a simple Kalimotxo variation with high-quality cola, the wine's tannic structure and acidity hold up surprisingly well as a casual warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector or Tuscan wine enthusiast
• Anchoring a special-occasion Italian dinner with Florentine steak or braised short ribs
• Cellaring for medium-term aging (5–15 years from vintage)
• Marking a milestone — anniversary, promotion, or holiday gathering — with a wine of genuine historical significance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tignanello 2023 taste like? The 2023 is a juicy, midweight Super Tuscan driven by ripe cherry, blood orange, and pomegranate fruit with floral and spice complexity, silky tannins, and a long, savory finish marked by roasted hazelnuts and graphite.

How does Tignanello compare to Sassicaia? Tignanello is Sangiovese-dominant (80%) and rooted in the Chianti Classico tradition, delivering bright acidity and a food-friendly, red-fruited profile, while Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri uses a Bordeaux-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon–Cabernet Franc blend that leans toward darker fruit and more structured tannins. Both are foundational Super Tuscans, but they represent distinct terroirs and philosophies.

Is Tignanello 2023 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 2023's combination of forward, approachable fruit, refined tannins, and bright acidity makes it immediately enjoyable on its own, though decanting enhances its aromatic complexity.

Where is Tignanello made? Tignanello is produced by Marchesi Antinori at Tenuta Tignanello, a 77-hectare vineyard estate in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico zone, situated between the Greve and Pesa valleys at 350–400 meters above sea level on limestone-rich soils.

What foods pair well with Tignanello 2023? Bistecca alla Fiorentina complements the wine's tannic structure and savory finish. Wild boar ragù with pappardelle mirrors its earthy, spiced complexity. Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano echoes its nutty, umami-rich undertones. Lamb chops with rosemary benefit from the wine's bright acidity cutting through the fat. Roasted portobello mushrooms with truffle oil amplify the wine's earthy, savory dimension.

What sizes does Tignanello 2023 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; Antinori has historically also produced Tignanello in magnum (1.5L) and half-bottle (375ml) formats depending on vintage and market availability.

Is Tignanello 2023 worth the price? Tignanello positions as a premium Super Tuscan, and the 2023 vintage — with dual 97-point scores from Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling, plus 95 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous — represents one of the strongest critical showings in recent memory, reinforcing its value within the upper tier of Italian fine wine.

Why Tignanello 2023?

Few wines can claim the historical significance of Tignanello: it fundamentally redefined what Tuscan wine could be when it debuted in the early 1970s as the first Sangiovese aged in barriques and one of the first Chianti-zone reds to incorporate Cabernet in the blend. The 2023 vintage validates that legacy with unanimous critical acclaim — 97 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling, 95 from Wine Spectator and Vinous, five clusters from Bibenda, and three glasses from Gambero Rosso. The fact that Antinori withholds Tignanello entirely in subpar vintages (seven skipped since 1971) means every released bottle reflects a deliberate quality standard. For the 2023, the result is a wine defined by immediacy and finesse — generous, expressive, and structured enough to reward years of cellaring.