# Tignanello (2021)

- **Producer:** Marchesi Antinori
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €135
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** rose, black plum, raspberry, red plum, strawberry, violet, black cherry, butter, cedar, coffee, chocolate, cloves, vanilla, forest floor, tobacco, wet leaves, leather, earth

## About this wine

Tignanello is an iconic Italian red wine from Marchesi Antinori, produced in Tuscany under the Toscana IGT appellation. It is a blend primarily of Sangiovese, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine is recognized as a pioneering 'Super Tuscan,' first released in 1971. Its creation marked a departure from traditional winemaking by being the first Sangiovese aged in small oak barrels and incorporating non-traditional grape varieties. The 2021 vintage holds significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of Tignanello's inception. The vineyard is situated on limestone-rich soils at an altitude of 350-400 meters.

## Interesting facts

- First Sangiovese aged in small oak barrels.
- One of the first modern reds to use Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Celebrates 50 years of innovation in 2021.
- A benchmark 'Super Tuscan' wine.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure and tannins complement the richness of red meats and game, while its vibrant acidity cuts through fatty elements. Herbal notes in the wine can echo those in seasoned dishes, creating a harmonious balance.

## Wine making process

Tignanello is produced from grapes grown in the Tignanello vineyard, located on limestone-rich soils at an altitude of 350-400 meters. The 2021 vintage experienced a long, slow growing season with favorable harvest conditions. The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled truncated conical tanks with maceration on the skins for 10-15 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place in neutral oak. The wine then undergoes aging for approximately 17 months in wood, with 50% of the barrels being new French and Hungarian oak. This process is followed by further refinement in the bottle before release.