Marchesi Antinori – 2016 Tignanello

Marchesi Antinori – 2016 Tignanello.

A benchmark Super Tuscan that captures the nobility of the 2016 vintage with breathtaking clarity. Tignanello is not merely one of Italy’s most celebrated wines—it is a historical turning point in modern winemaking. In this exceptional year, Antinori delivers a wine of depth, precision and balance, seamlessly uniting power and elegance.

About the Winery

Marchesi Antinori stands among the great dynasties of world wine. With more than six centuries of family ownership, the estate has shaped Italian viticulture in ways few others can claim. Yet tradition alone does not define Antinori—the family’s enduring success lies in their willingness to challenge convention and to innovate when quality demands it.

The creation of Tignanello in the 1970s revolutionised Tuscan wine. By departing from DOC regulations and introducing Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Sangiovese, Antinori redefined what Italian fine wine could be. Today, the estate blends heritage with advanced viticulture and state-of-the-art cellar practices, producing wines that resonate both culturally and commercially across the globe.

About the Vineyard

The Tignanello vineyard lies in the heart of Chianti Classico, on gently undulating hills with calcareous marl soils rich in limestone and alberese. These soils play a crucial role in shaping the wine’s aromatic lift and structural finesse. Elevation and diurnal temperature variation ensure long ripening cycles, preserving acidity while allowing full phenolic maturity.

Each parcel is vinified separately, enabling the Antinori team to capture the nuance of each plot before final assemblage. It is this intimate knowledge of the vineyard that allows Tignanello to remain so consistent in style while faithfully reflecting each vintage.

About the Wine

The 2016 vintage in Tuscany is widely regarded as one of the finest of the decade, and Tignanello wears that distinction with confidence. The wine is composed primarily of Sangiovese, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller portion of Cabernet Franc, a blend that balances Tuscan identity with international structure.

In the glass, the wine reveals a deep ruby core with garnet reflections. Aromatically, it unfolds in layers: black cherry, redcurrant and ripe plum lead the way, followed by graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf and hints of Mediterranean herbs. Subtle notes of sweet spice and dark chocolate speak to its time in oak without overshadowing the purity of fruit.

The palate is expansive yet impeccably controlled. Fine-grained tannins provide architecture without austerity, while vibrant acidity carries the wine across the mid-palate with remarkable energy. Flavours of dark berries, balsamic nuance and mineral undertones build toward a long, polished finish that lingers with quiet authority.

This is a Tignanello that will charm in youth with aeration, but its true brilliance lies ahead. With time in bottle, it will gain complexity and silkiness, comfortably evolving over the next two decades.

Conclusion

The 2016 Tignanello stands as a modern classic—an expression of Tuscan terroir refined through generations of vision and innovation. It captures everything that has made this wine iconic: depth, harmony, and a confident sense of place.

We award this wine a 95-point DWA score—a profound and enduring Super Tuscan that reaffirms Tignanello’s place among the world’s great wines.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts.

Taste Date: December 2025

Website:    Marchesi Antinori