TENUTA TIGNANELLO 'Tignanello' by Antinori - IGT Toscana 2022 Bottle

Description

Tignanello 2022 is a remarkable expression of Tuscan winemaking, receiving high praise from critics. The Wine Advocate scores it 97 points, highlighting its rich and fruit-forward character, with blackcurrant and cherry balanced by a mineral note. It features a velvety mouthfeel and soft tannins that enhance the wine's texture and length. Vinous also rates it 95 points, emphasising crushed flowers, mint, and cinnamon, alongside a sophisticated personality. Decanter awards it 95 points, praising its potpourri-infused aromas and succulent palate. The blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc showcases excellent balance and complexity. This age-worthy wine is perfect for both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring.

*****

The Antinori family has been producing wine in Tuscany for six centuries and exporting it for four – that’s 26 generations of uninterrupted family ownership, making them the 10th oldest company in the world still in the hands of the same family.

They moved to Florence in the early 13th century, and remain central figures in the fabric of the city. Piazza Antinori is the square in the historic centre where Marchese Piero Antinori still lives.

The purchase of the Tignanello estate in 1850 marked the beginning of a remarkable period of expansion, which shows no signs of abating. Through judicious acquisition of vineyards, and an uncanny knack for developing iconic wines, Antinori has become Tuscany’s – arguably Italy’s – preeminent wine producer, establishing an important presence in Piedmont, Umbria, Puglia and Lombardy.

Marchese Piero Antinori sums up the company’s outlook thus: “Ancient roots play an important role in our philosophy, but they have never held back our spirit of innovation.” Today the president of the company is Albiera Antinori (Piero’s eldest daughter), while the Marchese retains the title of honorary president. Renzo Cotarella, creator of Cervaro della Sala, is the CEO and chief winemaker.

The Tenuta Tignanello estate is located between the Greve and Pesa river valleys in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. Solaia and Tignanello, the iconic wines of the estate, have been defined by the international press as among the most influential wines in the viticultural history of Italy. In these vineyards, the Antinori family, more than anywhere else, has expressed its principles and working philosophy: to reconcile tradition and modernity with wines which are strictly and authentically tied to their territories of origin.

Tignanello was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques, the first contemporary red wine blended with
untraditional varieties (specifically Cabernet) and one of the first red wines in the Chianti Classico region that didn’t use white grapes. Tignanello is a milestone. It’s produced with a selection of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The label was designed by Silvio Coppola in 1974 for the release of Tignanello 1971. The idea to commission this artist was discussed at an event at Castello della Sala in 1973. Silvio Coppola was an important Italian graphic and interior designer who was famous for his minimalist lighting fixtures and austere furniture but also for book cover designs for Italian publishing company Feltrinelli. Silvio Coppola was the perfect match for the job.

Tignanello is absolutely a wine that you want to get in the cellar on release. The 2021 scores the same and higher than icon vintages of years gone by and is significantly cheaper at current release price.

With Antonio Galloni's sky high score as the only critic rating thus far, it is very exciting to think of incoming responses from other Tignanello fans. In any case, Galloni is confident that the 2021 "has all the pedigree to become a modern benchmark for Tignanello and Italian wine more broadly ... it is the total harmony of the wine that makes the strongest and deepest impression". Might a higher, potentially perfect score tantalisingly lie in its future?

THE WINE ADVOCATE 97 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2026 - 2045
Rich and fruit-forward, the Marchesi Antinori 2022 Tignanello very much respects the vintage that tends to deliver more concentration and volume overall. It delivers extra fruit weight with a velvety, satiny feel over a generous mouthfeel. Tignanello offers blackcurrant and cherry, but there is a mineral note that keeps things focused. This is a beautiful expression of the vintage, with excellent work done to execute soft tannins, texture and length.
Published: Oct 30, 2025

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: James Button (at Decanter HQ, 02 Jul 2025) Part of Tuscany's top tier: New vintage releases
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2042
Tignanello in 2022 is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. Pot-pourri-infused red and black berry aromas introduce a succulent palate of good intensity. It's well balanced and bright, with cashmere tannins supporting a core of sapid hedgerow berries outlined by crushed rock minerality and bitter herbs. The finish is slightly disjointed, displaying a touch of alcohol warmth and wood which is yet to fully integrate, but given time it should come good.

VINOUS 95 points
Drinking window: 2027 - 2039
The 2022 Tignanello is such an elegant, poised wine. Brisk acids cut through a core of red Sangiovese fruit. Crushed flowers, mint, cinnamon, rose petal and a kiss of French oak appear later, adding notable brightness. The 2022 is a decidedly mid-weight Tignanello, but all the elements are very nicely balanced throughout. Tignanello saw rain episodes at the end of the season, like most properties, but steep, well-draining hillsides were a clear advantage. The blend is 78% Sangiovese, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, essentially the classic proportions here.