« Several years ago I had a sip of wine called Tignanello (pronounced « teen-ya-nello »). But let’s be real – in the states most people said « tig-na-nello » or just plain old « Tig ». The Italiano of it all gets a little tricky, so the bartender kept it simple; it was a glass of « Tig » So there I am, with very minimal wine knowledge and I take a sip of this wine. It wasn’t just red or white – suddenly I understood what people meant by the body, legs, structure of wine. It was an ah-ha moment at its finest. For me, it became « Tig » moment – a moment of getting it. » Meghan Markle favorite wine is available on wineonline guys!
Founded in 1385, this family-owned business is one of the largest and most respected winemakers in Italy, and this wine is… unique! Incredible depth. Like looking over the edge of a skyscraper. Powerful and structured.
What “Super Tuscan” wine means?
Super Tuscan wines are a red blend from Tuscany. The story begins in the late 1960’s when a few individual wine producers broke with the traditional Chianti formula. Back then, restrictive DOC practices stated that a Chianti must be composed of 70% Sangiovese and at least 10% local white wine grapes. Tired of this slow bureaucracy and persuaded that they could produce better quality wine, some creative winemakers started mixing non-indigenous wine grapes, like Merlot, into their blend. And as if that were not enough, some producers let their wines mature in French barriques for more flavour. Because the DOC regulations were not met, these wines could only be labeled as “table wines”, but in the face of the wine world’s reaction, it became clear that a very special new wine was born. The term being rather diminishing for such an outstanding blend, Robert Parker, the famous U.S. wine critic, invented the term “Super Tuscan”, which became popular. A new category was born designating a great Tuscan wine, that did not conform to any specific DOC designation.
By the way, Tignanello was the first Super Tuscan wine, created in 1971 by the winery Antinori and quickly became one of Italy’s most sought-after wines. As is only fitting for a wine beloved by Meghan Markle, its category is considered one of Italian wine’s finest.
Tignanello 2015, a stunning vintage!
This is why I like the wine so much, not for the classification, though that is certainly a nice touch of whimsy, but the wine itself: it tastes of Tuscany. Unlike many modern Super-Tuscans, smooth, polished wines crafted to garner ratings points and end up as beautiful, anonymous, empty shells, Tignanello has a rustic authenticity. Not a Tuscan pretending to be a Bordeaux, it is unmistakably, wonderfully, Sangiovese, and quintessentially Tuscan.
And I am not the only one who tell it, this wine get everybody to agree:
- 98 points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2016 Tignanello is flat out stunning. Dark, dense and resonant, the 2016 is a wonderfully complete wine that will provide readers with decades of pure drinking pleasure. The 2016 is especially dark and brooding, and yet the tannins are incredibly polished to the point of being perceptible. In the glass, the 2016 is complete and regal, perhaps because of the super-classic blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The pedigree of the vintage comes through in the wine’s extraordinary balance and total sense of finesse. I don’t think there is another wine anywhere in the world made entirely from estate fruit that can match Tignanello for quality, consistency and value within its peer group of top-flight reds.” - 97 points – James Suckling
“Wonderful aromas of pine needles, rosemary, fresh mushrooms, bark and dark fruit. Full body. Very tight and tannic backbone. Racy and driven. Undertones of orange peel and wet earth. Even licorice and mint. Great finish. Better after 2021, but exciting to taste now.” - 97 points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate
“To hit the market in June, the 2016 Tignanello is a rock-solid wine and a stunning beauty. The wine offers an impeccable level of precision and laser-focus delivery of fruits, spices, tilled earth, espresso beans and Mediterranean herbs. This vintage follows the classic blending formula of 80% Sangiovese with about 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The vines are now 15 to 20 years old. Compared to the 2015 vintage that ultimately appeared more chewy and succulent, this expression from the iconic 2016 vintage is more vibrant, nervous and jazzed. It shows more savory spice, saltiness and minerality, with a beautifully integrated quality of tannins. Some 320,000 bottles were produced. This wine is at the top of the list of some of the best Tignanello ever made, including the vintages 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.” - 97 points – Wine Spectator
“A big, lush style, this red delivers pure aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry, violet, flint, tobacco and baking spices. This is supple, yet backed by a firm, dense matrix of tannins, so all the components a re there, but this needs time to integrate. Lovely sweet, ripe finish.”
Availability: Limited
Real wine lovers won’t want to miss out on this rule-breaking, intense piece of history, that’s why you can order it now on Wineonline.ca. Enjoy!
Where to find the Super Tuscan Tignanello in Canada ?
→ Tignanello by Antinori 2016