Tasting Notes
Climate
Due to a very rainy and cold autumn and a severe winter with substantial amounts of rain, there was a slight delay in plant sprouting when compared to the average timing of the preceding years. The periods of blossoming and fruit setting were also accompanied by precipitation which, however, did not compromise the normal formation and growth of the grape bunches. In the second half of July, temperatures got very high, but, as opposed to previous years which were very hot, the weather changed again in August, bringing temperatures which were lower than average and frequent rains. September and October were characterized by warm temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night, with temperature fluctuations which encouraged a perfect ripening of the sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon grapes. The optimal climatic conditions allowed for a very favorable harvest from a qualitative and quantitative point of view, thus guaranteeing excellent grapes. Harvesting of the sangiovese grapes concluded at the end of September, and that of the cabernet grapes finished at the beginning of October.
Vinification
The excellent quality of the grapes and especially the optimal meteorological conditions of the harvesting period positively influenced this vintage’s potential right from the beginning. In addition, the management of the vineyards was fundamental for bringing high quality grapes to the winery for vinification, especially in the case of the sangiovese. After destemming and a gentle pressing, the must was gently transported into stainless steel tanks where, right from the beginning of maceration, it demonstrated great potential both with regards to its polyphenols and its aromas. Pumping over and delestage were carried out in a very gentle manner which respected and preserved the raw material. The musts were separated according to varietal and were very rich in color. The sangiovese must completed alcoholic fermentation while maintaining contact with the skins for approximately 12 days, and the cabernet sauvignon underwent alcoholic fermentation and remained in contact with the skins for a little over two weeks. By the end of the year, the wines spontaneously completed malolactic fermentation in 225-liter second- and third-passage barriques. The wines were then aged for an additional 14 months in small oak barrels. The great potential of the young wines was confirmed by the excellent results of the wood aging process, resulting in a very high quality product which was cared for and tasted barrique by barrique before being bottled. The wine was subsequently left to age in the bottle for another 12 months.
Historical Data
The Tignanello estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico production zone, nestled between the valleys of the Greve and Pesa rivers, and extends over close to 800 total acres (319 hectares), some 130 of which (415 hectares) are planted to vines. The vineyards consist principally of the native Sangiovese grape along with such non-traditional varieties as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The Marchese Antinori is an historic wine of the Antinori cellars which, since 2011, is produced from the grapes of the Tignanello estate. It is a wine which presents itself as the full expression of the quality and elegance of the Sangiovese of this part of Tuscany.
Tasting Notes
This wine has an intense ruby red color and an aroma characterized by very fruity notes; the conditions during the harvest produced grapes which were able to greatly express their varietal typicity, making the sangiovese very straightforward, rich, and characterized by the intensity of the grapes. The cabernet was able to express all of its strength together with elegance and refinement. On the palate, the wine opens very compactly, with hints of vanilla and chocolate, and with gentle tannins resulting from careful wood aging. The wine is minerally and has a persistent finish. It shows a great potential for extended longevity in the bottle.
Awards
Wine Advocate 92/100 USA
Climate
Due to a very rainy and cold autumn and a severe winter with substantial amounts of rain, there was a slight delay in plant sprouting when compared to the average timing of the preceding years. The periods of blossoming and fruit setting were also accompanied by precipitation which, however, did not compromise the normal formation and growth of the grape bunches. In the second half of July, temperatures got very high, but, as opposed to previous years which were very hot, the weather changed again in August, bringing temperatures which were lower than average and frequent rains. September and October were characterized by warm temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night, with temperature fluctuations which encouraged a perfect ripening of the sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon grapes. The optimal climatic conditions allowed for a very favorable harvest from a qualitative and quantitative point of view, thus guaranteeing excellent grapes. Harvesting of the sangiovese grapes concluded at the end of September, and that of the cabernet grapes finished at the beginning of October.
The History
Back in 1928, Niccolò Antinori decided to christen this wine Villa Antinori, in honor of the family’s eponymous villa; it was a reflection of his own personal interpretation of Chianti Classico’s and Tuscany’s unique identity.
The Style
Villa Antinori was first crafted in 1928 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori, Piero Antinori’s father, as the Antinori family’s signature wine; an exceptional wine that can represent the family’s history, identity and continuity like no other. “Villa Antinori is a full-blooded Tuscan red […] which grapes are grown, mature and are harvested from our Tuscan estates and then fermented and aged in the Antinori family estates.” Piero Antinori.
The design
The label’s design represents our concept of home, our territory and Tuscany. “The French have châteaux, but we have Villas!” Niccolò Antinori cheerfully explained his choice for the illustration on the front label, an innovative design that broke with more traditional packaging conventions of that time.
In Honor of the Monaldeschi della Cervara Family
The wine’s name honors the Monaldeschi della Cervara family who was the historic owner of Castello della Sala in the XVI century.
An old railway station
The Vignaferrovia vineyard takes its name from a characteristic old nineteenth century railway station still located a short distance from the vines.
Grown in an area with Great Potential
Poggio alle Nane comes from a winegrowing area well known for its production of high quality wines, an area in which both Cabernet and Carménère best express their characteristics.
A red amidst whites
At Castello della Sala, an area historically important for white wines, Pinot Nero offers an authentic and typical expression of its variety with a strong territorial character.
An ancient grape variety
Aleatico, an old and traditional Tuscan grape variety grown since Etruscan times, is able to give a modern expression of itself in this unique territory.
Villa del Cigliano
Villa del Cigliano, located in the gently rolling hillsides of San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence, has always been a symbol of strong family relationships; the villa has watched over the lives of generations of Antinori family members since 1546, the year Alessandro di Niccolò Antinori became the owner of the property.
The Design
The label was designed by Silvio Coppola in 1974 for the release of Tignanello 1971. The idea to commission this artist was discussed at an event at Castello della Sala in 1973. Silvio Coppola was an important Italian graphic and interior designer who was famous for his minimalist lighting fixtures and austere furniture but also for book cover designs for Italian publishing company Feltrinelli. Silvio Coppola was the perfect match for the job.
The Bolgheri Amphitheater
The Guado al Tasso estate’s most characteristic geographic feature is the Bolgheri Amphitheater, a beautiful plain encircled by rolling hillsides that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea. The shape of the territory creates a unique microclimate with beneficial temperature fluctuations. The estate’s vineyards are located at the foot of the amphitheater, an optimal position as cold nocturnal breezes cool down the vines. These particular climatic conditions give the grapes pronounced aromas and guarantee a perfect ripening of the berries.
The Barrique
Cervaro della Sala was one of the first Italian white wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques.
The Name
Poggio alle Nane’s name comes from the area where its vines grow. Duck breeding farms once existed and the name “Nane” is local dialect for duck. The vineyards extend from the hillside to the lake that are still part of the property.
Rocky soils
The Vignaferrovia vineyard grows on rocky, gravelly soils, a condition that naturally limits the grapevine’s growth rate and enhances the quality of the berries.
Winding vineyards
The 4 hectares (10 acres) of Pinot Nero grow along the hillsides shaping the landscape into a series of sinuous terraced vineyards.
A single letter symbol
“A” represents in one single letter the combination of the estate’s initials, Fattoria Aldobrandesca, and the grape’s variety, Aleatico.
The Signature
Marchese Piero Antinori, the current Honorary President, decided to have his father, Niccolò Antinori, sign the label as a sign of recognition for his father’s confidence in him.
Te Duce Proficio
Guado al Tasso added the Antinori family’s historic family crest on the capsules.
The Concept
The idea behind Cervaro della Sala was to craft a white wine able to age over time.
Sea breezes
Southwestern vineyard exposure allows sea breezes to mitigate hot summer temperatures and limit heat spikes.
Understanding nature
The particularly hot climate of Castello della Sala has forced agronomists to invent new ways to protect the grapes from the hot summer sun. The vines’ shoots are allowed to grow in length and are then folded over the plant so its leaves can shade the Pinot Nero grape clusters.
A Pursuit for Balance
“A” was crafted following the family’s pursuit for exceptional balance between Aleatico’s pronounced character and the unique qualities of the estate’s volcanic soils.
Te Duce Proficio
The historic family crest of the Antinori family
A Tribute to the Della Gherardesca Family
Guado al Tasso designed a label with the Della Gherardesca family crest and the initials DG as a tribute to the former estate owners.
The Enologist
In 1985, Renzo Cotarella, who was chief enologist at Castello della Sala at that time, made the first vintage of Cervaro della Sala.
A personal interpretation
The Antinori family wanted to give their own deeply personal interpretation of the historic wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
The Sun
Tignanello’s stylized “Sun” by Silvio Coppola
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
