Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori', Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, 2022
Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori', Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, 2022
- 75cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2040
Est. delivery end of October, 2026
We think of Tignanello as the estate that taught Tuscany to break its own rules, and this Chianti Classico Riserva is the family making peace with the appellation it once abandoned. Grown on the very same hillside as its super-Tuscan sibling, the wine folds a generous dose of Cabernet into Sangiovese's backbone, giving a Chianti Classico Riserva with real swagger rather than rustic charm. The 2022 vintage, warm and compact, has delivered ripe fruit without losing the savoury grip that makes this estate's wines worth arguing about.
Expect dark cherry, bay leaf, and a graphite-like minerality running underneath, with tannins that are firm but polished rather than aggressive. This is a wine with Antinori's fingerprints all over it: confident, international in outlook, yet unmistakably Tuscan at heart.
Right now the 2022 is still finding its feet, with primary dark fruit and oak spice slightly ahead of the savoury, earthy notes that will eventually take over. Expect the tannins to soften and integrate from around 2027, with secondary notes of leather, dried herbs, and forest floor emerging through the early 2030s. It should hold a confident plateau through the late 2030s before gently easing into its tertiary phase, with no urgency to drink before 2040.
What the critics say:
"A youthful wine with aromas of esters, strawberries, red cherries, violets, roses, licorice and toast. The palate is gorgeous, with ripe, vibrant and velvety tannins, tight-knit acidity, a medium to full body and a crisp, super-savory finish. Drinkable now, but best in one to two years."
"A blend of 92% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Marchesi Antinori 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori is a wine of energy, brightness and sweet tannins. It shows that Tignanello signature, given that fruit comes from the same estate as the flagship Tignanello. The oak aging comes through, but it remains balanced against the primary character of the wine. It is not excessive on any front, and it shows elegant mineral notes to close."
"The 2022 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is terrific. Soft and pliant, with fabulous balance, the 2022 is a total charmer. Antinori1s style today, one that favors a lighter hand than in the past, works so well here. Succulent red cherry, spice, new leather and rose petal are front and center. All of this fruit is from Antinori's Tignanello property. It captures all the essence of site in a more approachable style that is undeniably appealing. "
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby core fading to a garnet rim, with real density for Chianti Classico.
NoseDark cherry and redcurrant meet dried thyme and bay leaf, with a graphite-like minerality and a whisper of espresso from the oak.
PalateFull-bodied and taut, with ripe black fruit held in check by firm, fine-grained tannins and a savoury, almost bloody iron streak running through the middle.
FinishLong, dry, and tobacco-edged, with tannins that linger rather than fade.
Overall impressionA Chianti Classico Riserva with real structure and ambition, built to reward patience.
Food Pairings
In Tuscany this would land on the table alongside bistecca alla fiorentina, that enormous grilled T-bone served rare and simply seasoned with olive oil and rosemary. It is equally at home with wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or roast guinea fowl stuffed with herbs. Hard, aged pecorino and cured finocchiona salami make fine starters that echo the wine's savoury edge. This is food built for grilling and slow braising, and the wine's tannin and acidity are designed precisely to cut through fat and char.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C, properly cool rather than warm, so the tannins don't feel aggressive. Decant for 45 minutes to an hour, particularly if the bottle is young, to let the Cabernet component soften and the aromatics open up. A large-bowled Bordeaux glass suits it well, giving the wine room to breathe without losing its savoury lift.
The vineyards sit on the Tignanello hillside in the heart of Chianti Classico, on galestro and alberese soils, the crumbly, stony clay-limestone that drains fast and forces the vines to dig deep. Altitude here runs around 350-400 metres, with south-facing slopes that soak up sun while cooler nights preserve acidity. It is this combination of poor, mineral-rich soil and diurnal swing that gives Antinori's Sangiovese its characteristic lift and savoury edge rather than sheer weight.
Chianti Classico DOCG is the historic, hillier heartland of Chianti, distinct from the broader Chianti DOCG that surrounds it, and Riserva status demands a minimum of 24 months' ageing and higher alcohol, rewarding only the more serious selections. Sangiovese must make up at least 80% of the blend, with the remainder given over to other approved varieties, which is where Antinori's Cabernet addition earns its place. Compared to its neighbours in Montalcino or Montepulciano, Chianti Classico tends toward brighter acidity and a more herbal, iron-tinged character, and this Riserva shows that house style with extra polish.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Dark cherry and dried herbs with a savoury, iron-like edge, firm tannins, and a long tobacco-tinged finish.
When should I drink this wine?
It will show well from 2025 but has the structure to improve until 2040 and beyond.
What food should I pair it with?
Grilled Florentine steak, wild boar ragù, or aged pecorino all suit its tannin and savoury character.
How should I serve it?
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux glass, decanting for 45 minutes to an hour if drinking young.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, this is a Riserva built for the long haul, with real potential to develop further complexity over the next decade.
How does this differ from Tignanello itself?
It comes from the same hillside but sits within the Chianti Classico DOCG rules, giving Sangiovese the lead role rather than treating it as an equal partner to Cabernet.
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