Tuscany, Italy
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Tignanello debuted in 1971 and quite quickly became one of the most important Supertoscans. Although originally bottled as Chianti Classico, it was planned from the beginning as a revolutionary wine. Its creator, Piero Antinori, wanted to shake up the entire Tuscan wine industry. He was the first to mature his wine in French barrels, abandoned all additional varieties focusing on sangiovese, put the name of the vineyard on the label (hence the original name of the wine Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneto Tignanello), and finally complemented the sangiovese with both cabernets and eventually lost the right to the name Chinati Classico.
This approach, however, was a complete success, and subsequent winemakers began to follow the path thus outlined, fueling the Supertoscan movement. Tignanello remains to this day one of the most popular wines of this group, primarily due to its high quality, unique character and affordable price, which has not succumbed to speculation like other Supertoscans.
2016 is a very good vintage with wines of great concentration and saturation. One of the characteristics of Tuscan wines from this vintage is high expressiveness and aromatic intensity.
The 2016 sangiovese is complemented by 16% cabernet. The wine is full-bodied and well structured, but based on freshness and energy, especially in view of the rather overcooked 2015 vintage. Fresher aromas, good acidity and elegant tannin, which also helps the wine come off as energetic, lively. In the bouquet, of course, dark forest fruits, smoke and herbs, but one can also sense wet earth, orange peel, licorice and even mint.
