At a glance

Producer

Marchesi Antinori

Region

Tuscany, Italy (IGT Toscana)

Grape variety

Predominantly Sangiovese (around 80%), with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$150-$250 USD (2024 retail/auction average)

Tasting profile

Black cherry, plum, cassis, sweet tobacco, espresso, leather, graphite, baking spice, and hints of balsam. Dense fruit structure is still primary but complex, textured palate.

Evolution: Will develop truffle, dried violet, forest floor, cedar, and more pronounced savory nuances with a decade-plus of aging.

At peak: Peak years deliver seamless integration of fruit, oak, earth, and savory notes; exceptional balance and length with silky texture.

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, vibrant, well-balanced (medium-high for a Super Tuscan)

Tannins

Firm, refined; ripe and persistent but not aggressive

Alcohol

Typically 13.5%-14.0% ABV

Aging potential

Exceptional for Tignanello; can easily cellar until 2040, possibly longer in perfect conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2035

Optimal window

2023 to 2040

Current status

In its ascending peak, entering optimal drinking phase

Current condition

The 2016 Tignanello shows vibrant fruit, powerful structure, and fine tannin integration. Still youthful in 2024, but complex and already compelling; will gain tertiary complexity over the next 10-15 years.

2016 is widely regarded as among the top three Tignanello vintages this century (alongside 2010 and 2015). The wine’s dense, harmonious structure and beautiful tannin-acid balance allow for decades of graceful development. Quality of vintage extends both the optimal and absolute drinking window well beyond what is typical for many Super Tuscans.

Food pairing

Ideal with braised meats (lamb shank, wild boar ragù), bistecca alla fiorentina (Tuscan steak), aged Parmigiano Reggiano, osso buco, truffled pasta, and rich Italian stews. Also pairs with hard cheeses, duck, and roast game birds.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To aerate young wine and soften tannins, releasing full aromatic complexity; especially important through 2030.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Antinori employs integrated pest management, soil regeneration, reforestation, water conservation, use of renewable energy (solar panels at main estates), biodiversity corridors, and eco-friendly packaging for flagship wines. Committed to reducing chemical inputs and has introduced vineyard mapping for low-intervention farming.

Antinori is an industry leader in environmental stewardship among large Italian producers, with investments in sustainability across farming, production, and logistics. While not certified organic or biodynamic, they have robust ecological practices (especially at Tignanello and Pian delle Vigne estates), use renewable energy, and support the Viva Sustainable Wine project. Opportunity exists to further reduce chemical use, seek full organic conversion, and offset transport emissions, but relative to peers at their scale, Antinori’s sustainability performance is strong and improving.