As the first-ever Sangiovese to be aged in small oak barriques and a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement, Tignanello remains the blueprint for modern Italian winemaking. The newly arrived 2023 vintage represents a spectacular return to form for purists who value precision and nuance over brute force. Moving away from the concentrated heat of previous years, the 2023 growing season offered an ideal, steady summer warmth that prioritized vibrant natural acidity and seamless structural balance. Boasting an increased percentage of Cabernet Franc in the final blend, this allocation-grade release delivers unparalleled aromatic lift and absolute immediacy, cementing its status as an essential, blue-chip acquisition for serious cellars.
Sourced entirely from the iconic, 77-hectare southwest-facing Tignanello vineyard, the grapes thrive at high elevations in Chianti Classico on soils rich in marine marl, limestone, and schist. To navigate a variable spring, the Antinori family employed strict, meticulous hand-sorting at the winery. The individual varieties—Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc—were vinified separately in truncated conical tanks to delicately coax out color and ultra-fine, supple tannins. Following malolactic fermentation, the components were aged for 13 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels, predominantly new, before being blended and refined for an additional year in the bottle.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 vintage is celebrated as a highly polished, midweight masterpiece defined by finesse over power. The nose is incredibly layered and expressive, opening with pure aromas of ripe cherry liqueur, fresh pomegranate, and blood orange, underscored by delicate hints of hibiscus, violet, forest herbs, and a touch of pencil lead. On the palate, the entry is precise and pure, floating across the tongue with a juicy, mouth-filling core of red fruit and savory tobacco. A refreshing spine of energetic acidity perfectly balances the wine's depth, carried through to a long, seamless finish by glassy, ultra-refined tannins and a persistent hint of roasted hazelnut.
Score
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck.
