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Antinori

Antinori is currently led by Marchese Piero Antinori, the latest of 26 generations to run the family business. The documented history of the Antinori family stretches back as far as the 12th Century, although it was in the century that followed that they arrived in Tuscany. The family business was wine, and in 1385 Giovanni di Pieri Antinori registered with the Guild of Winemakers, and so it is this date that has come to be regarded as the starting point for Antinori. The business has prospered over the centuries that followed, and in 1898 the Fattoria dei Marchesi Lodovico e Piero Antinori was founded, and this marked the beginning of the transformation of a small family business into a star player. In the latter half of the 20th Century Antinori has made a significant impact, both on the domestic scene and on the international market. They have been innovators in the development of Super-Tuscan blends, keen experimenters in the vineyard, and their considerable success has led to expansion in ownership of real estate and vineyards.

Antinori own a large number of estates throughout Tuscany, of which the most significant are worth considering in detail. Tenuta Tignanello is the jewel in the crown, the estate comprising two vineyards, the 47 ha Tignanello and alongside the 10 ha Solaia. These are vineyards of marl, with areas of shale and chalk, at an altitude of 350 to 450 m. This is the source of the two Super-Tuscans which have been focal points in the Tuscan revolution that has occurred over the latter 20th Century; Tignanello (20% Cabernet, 80% Sangiovese) and Solaia (a mirror image 80% Cabernet and 20% Sangiovese). Fruit not used for these wines is the source of two of Antinori's other Chianti Classico Riservas, designated Tenute del Marchese and Villa Antinori.

Antinori

Just a few kilometres south of Tenuta Tignanello is the Badia a Passignano estate, at which there are 50 ha planted up with Sangiovese sourced from Tignanello. This is the source of one of Antinori's other best known Chianti Classico Riservas, Badia a Passignano. And although there are many other properties, one more worth considering in a little detail is the Guado al Tasso estate in Bolgheri, south of Florence. This is a huge property, and about a third of its 1000 ha are planted up predominantly with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, as well as smaller proportions of other grape varieties. The vineyards sit at an altitude of 45 to 60 metres in the Bolgheri amphitheatre, and thus ripen two weeks in advance of Antinori's Chianti vineyards. There are a number of wines produced here, of which the best known are the Super-Tuscans Guado al Tasso and Scalabrone, as well as an attractive Vermentino.

With so many vineyards under their ownership, including several in the south of Italy, Prunotto in Piedmont and even Atlas Peak in California, Antinori make a wide range of wines. The other Tuscan estates owned by Antinori include:

Contact details:
Address: Piazza Antinori 3, 50123 Firenze
Telephone: +39 055 235 9848
Fax: +39 055 235 9877
Internet: www.antinori.it

Antinori - Tasting Notes

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2010

Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Vermentino 2010: In the glass this wine has a pale hue, one that says nothing of the wine's open and characterful nose, redolent of tropical fruits cut through with a refreshing grapefruit twist lending the nose a rich and yet defined air, rather than anything fat or blowsy. The palate follows on in the same vein, with a lovely pithy-bitter character to it at the start, followed by more subtle tropical fruit notes at first, only coming in behind the pithy core of the wine through the midpalate. It has, as promised, freshness and acidity, behaving more as if from a rather cooler climate than Tuscany in the mouth. It finishes up in a long, sappy, refreshing close, one that is moreish even if it is rather short. All the same this has a delightfully fresh and bright character for this warm region, and yet it also has attractive fruit. An impressive wine and one that suggests Vermentino holds much promise for the Tuscan vigneron interested in trying his or her hand with something other than Sangiovese. For label images and more see my Wine of the Week write-up. 15.5/20 (August 2011)

2005

Antinori Tignanello (Toscana IGT) 2005: This wine has a very youthful and vibrant hue. The aromas are intense and concentrated with cherry fruit, quite gamey with substantial character on the nose. There is certainly plenty of promise here. The palate shows a great combination of substance and structure, showing the young, biting, acidic substance of barely adolescent Sangiovese with a fine backbone and a little vein of tannins behind it all. This is really attractive and full of promise. It needs time in the cellar, another 3-5 years at least I think. From a not the 1989 vintage tasting with Handford Wines. 18+/20 (October 2010)

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2005: The same young vintage as the Tignanello served alongside, and this wine stands up extremely well in comparison. It is intense although really quite withdrawn at present on the nose. There is an impressive substance to the palate though, showing a real depth of concentrated fruit, bringing a rather meaty, gamey, furry character to the wine. There is a good backbone of structure and a firm acidity too though. Plenty of ripe tannin though the middle and at the end, all very nicely composed. This is well set up for the future. From a not the 1989 vintage tasting with Handford Wines. 17.5+/20 (October 2010)

Antinori Muffato della Sala IGT (Umbria) 2005: This sweet wine, which is 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% a mix of Grechetto, Traminer and Riesling, has a deep orange-gold hue in the glass which promises much. A rich, citrus fruit, candied lemon and barley sugar layer of sweetness on the nose, nuanced with notes of thyme and smoke. There is just a little baked edge to it in the background as well, with oxidative tinges which rather put me in mind of the wines of Domaine de Juchepie. Sweet and polished on the palate, broad and quite grippy, intense and also of great substance. The flavours are of dried fruit, broadening out in the finish. What is missing, despite that Juchepie analogy, is the minerality or the pithy bitterness that can make wines such as this so exciting. Still, we shouldn't overlook the many good points here. 16/20 (July 2011)

2001

Antinori 'Villa Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2001: Good depth of colour. Roasted fruit nose, with still evident oak. Weighty on the palate, with fresh, dazzling acidity and fine grained tannins. A sense of extract showing through on midpalate, lovely here. Medium bodied but has weight and presence. Great fruit. Good, chewy finish. A great improvement on the lacklustre 2000 vintage. 16.5+/20 (November 2004)

2000

Antinori 'Villa Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 2000: This is one of my staples, which I seem to buy in every vintage. It has a dark, red-black hue, still with the purple rim of youth. The nose is a little closed at present, although there are hints of dark, macerated fruits, and the smoky, toasty nuances suggest some oak influence. On the palate it is quite soft, and although there are some ripe tannins and correct acidity, overall it is a very open, loose-knit wine. Some nice, bright, sugary-sweet cherry fruit. More tannin on the finish. This may just be an awkward stage - here's hoping this wine comes together with time. At the moment it is disappointing. 14?/20 (August 2003)

1999

Antinori 'Villa Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 1999: A lovely deep and youthful garnet red. The nose has dark and chewy red fruits, with some oak. There is good extract immediately apparent on entry, with medium body, and supple, spicy tannins. A coffee edge to the fruit. Balanced, approachable and enjoyable. This is a very modern, full flavoured and structured wine. Ready now, but will improve over the next few years if cellared correctly. 16.5+/20 (October 2002)

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Badia a Passignano 1999: This is Antinori's flagship Chianti, a single vineyard wine sourced from the sizeable Badia estate. It is 100% Sangiovese. A good colour. The nose is initially dominated by red and black fruits, with a touch of smoke, and then richer aromas of black cherry and kirsch. There is a good balance on the palate, with correct acidity, and a lick of ripe tannin, alongside plenty of dark fruits. Although it is quite firm it is not austere, with a nice texture and a little sense of extract. There's great typicity here from what was a very good vintage for the wines of Tuscany. Impressive stuff indeed, which is approachable now, but which will perform well in the cellar for five to eight years. 16.5-17+/20 (January 2004)

Antinori Tignanello 1999: A vibrant garnet red hue, still with a pink-purple tinge of youth at the rim. The nose is initially closed, but opens up several hours after a vigorous decant. Dense, chewy, plummy fruit on the nose, with the suggestion that there will be plenty of extract on the palate. More complex notes, too, with hints of roasted tomatoes and a perfumed, medicinal quality. Wonderful density of fruit on the palate, with great body and a full, masculine texture. The tannins are apparent from entry onwards, and provide much of the character on the finish. Sufficient acidity. A brilliant wine, with a real presence on the palate. 18.5+/20 (November 2002)

1997

Antinori Pepoli Chianti Classico 1997: A deep colour, showing some maturity. Macerated red fruits on the nose, with a touch of leather. Texture and pleasing extract on the palate, still with a little tannin, but surprisingly only moderate acidity. A little richness on the palate, with some early notes of vegetal complexity. This is ready now. 15/20 (June 2004)

Antinori 'Villa Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva 1997: A dark garnet red wine. Dark berry fruit on the nose, with a nicely judged, integrating lick of wood. Quite full bodied on the attack, with plenty of extract. There's plenty of structure, with dry, spicy tannins and good acidity, and dark fruits. Nevertheless there is a balance and some elegance to the palate. A stylish wine, enjoyable now, but with potential for another 3-5 years development at least. 16.5+/20 (October 2002)

1990

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 1990: A tawny red hue. Notes of custard powder on the nose. Loads of fresh fruit at first, fading to leave just some slightly stewed fruit notes. Good fruit, good balance. Still some tannins on the palate, with lots of acidity. From a 1990 vintage ten year on tasting. 16.5/20 (December 2000)

1989

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 1989: This stands up very well against the Tignanello of the same vintage. The colour is a step up again, ruby red at the core, out to a fading but not wide bricky rim. Still lots of fruit here on the nose, with the lovely polished sweetness that you get with old Chianti, but still showing substance and a frame of clean elements which belie this wines age. There is a fine almost chewy substance on the palate too, with a more bold structure beneath the leathery and spicy perfume. This has a lot of appeal, and like the Tignanello it still has room to develop further. Lovely. From a tasting of the 1989 vintage at Handford Wines. 17/20 (October 2010)

Antinori Tignanello (VdT di Toscana) 1989: This wine has a much more promising colour than the Martinenga Barbaresco, which preceded it, and a more impressive array of aromas too. There is a greater sweetness to the fruit, but still with a very typical Sangiovese character of leather and custard powder. An elegant substance on the palate, well defined at first, building a little through the midpalate to show some restrained flesh, very harmonious, with the sweet, leathery complex patina of age to match the nose. This certainly has some appeal, and there is depth and substance here too. An impressive wine which some regard as one of the best examples of Tignanello ever made. I don't have the breath of experience with Tignanello to comment on that, but this is certainly very good indeed. From a tasting of the 1989 vintage at Handford Wines. 17.5/20 (October 2010)