Tignanello IGT 2009, Marchese Antinori

The wine that started it all in Italy, the first one from Tuscany to have come out to the world with a blend that also comprised non-native grapes, Tignanello is an absolutely pioneering effort and is the one that started the whole 'Super Tuscan' movement. It was the first Sangiovese wine to be aged in small oak barrels, the first modern red wine to use such non-traditional varieties as Cabernet (meaning non-Italian/non-Tuscany, a pretty big deal in the days of the yore), in the blend, and among the first red wines from the Chianti Classico area to be produced without white grapes. It is also pretty close to the Wine Monk team's hearts as this was truly the first great wine (and by those standards expensive) the team tasted and fell in love.

The wine, originally called "Chianti Classico Riserva vigneto Tignanello" (a Chianti Classico Riserva from the Tignanello vineyard), was produced for the first time from a single vineyard parcel in 1970 when the blend contained 20% of Canaiolo and 5% of Trebbiano and Malvasia, both white grapes, and the wine aged in small oak barrels. In 1971 it became a Tuscan red table wine rather than a Chianti Classico and was called Tignanello. In the 1975 vintage, the white grapes were totally eliminated from the blend. Ever since 1982, the blend has been the one currently used. Tignanello is bottled only in favourable vintages and was not produced in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1992, and 2002.

"The 2009 Tignanello is quite beautiful. Cedar, graphite, sweet herbs, licorice and leather add complexity to a core of highly expressive red fruits. The 2009 impresses for its energy, drive and focus. Today, the 2009 comes across as slightly understated relative to many recent vintages, especially 2007 and 2008. There is a silkiness and polish that is reminiscent of the 2004. Tignanello is 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc from vineyards in San Casciano Val di Pesa, one of the most evocative hillsides in all of Italy. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029." 94/100 Robertparker.com, June 2012

"Very elegant, the 2009 represents the soul of Tignanello, revealing red fruit and savory notes. Remains focused, harmonious and long.—Non-blind Tignanello vertical (October 2019). Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases imported." 93/100 BS, Wine Spectator, 2020

"Dried fruits and flowers on the nose. More roses than anything else. Full body, with light toffee, coffee and ginseng character. Light prunes too. Really enjoyable. A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Give it a year or two to soften." - 93/100, James Suckling, 28 Aug 2012