The Antinori family has been involved in the production of wine since 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the “Arte Fiorentina”, the Winemakers’ Guild of the city of Florence. During this entire long period, through twenty six generations, the family has always directly managed this work with courageous and, at times, innovative decisions. But always while maintaining a fundamental respect for tradition and for the territory in which they have operated.

Estates currently under the Marchesi Antinori wine empire include Tignanello, Badia a Passignano, Guado Al Tasso, Castello della Sala, Pian Delle Vigne, Peppoli, and Montenisa. While the core of the family's properties and production are focused in Tuscany, additional properties have expanded their regional diversity to include Orvieto Classico and Franciacorta.

The Tenuta Tignanello estate is located between the Greve and Pesa river valleys in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation. In these 127 hectares (320 acres) of vineyards, the Antinori family, more than anywhere else, has expressed its principles and working philosophy: reconcile tradition and modernity with wines which are strictly and authentically tied to their territories of origin. Solaia and Tignanello, the two iconic wines of the estate, have been defined by the international press as “among the most influential wines in the viticultural history of Italy” and are a constant symbol for the Antinori family of a continuous challenge, one driven by pure passion.

The Guado al Tasso estate is located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) to the southwest of the city of Florence, near the medieval hamlet of Bolgheri in the Upper Maremma. Once part of a fiefdom of some 4,048 hectares (over 10,000 acres), today the 1000 hectare/2500 acre property extends from the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the inland hills, where the vineyards are cultivated on rocky and slightly calcareous soils. Of these, 300 are under vines which are planted to Vermentino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot along with small quantities of other grape varieties. In the 1930’s this property was inherited by Carlotta Della Gherardesca who married into the Antinori family.

Today the firm is run by Marquis Piero Antinori with the support of his three daughters, Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia. Tradition, passion, and intuition have been the three driving principles which have led the Marquis Antinori firm to become a leader in Italian wine.

Tignanello is produced exclusively from the vineyard of the same name, a parcel of some 140 acres (57 hectares) with limestone-rich soils and a southwestern exposure at 1150-1325 feet (350-400 meters) above sea level at the Tignanello estate.

It was the first Sangiovese wine to be aged in small oak barrels, the first modern red wine in the region to use such non-traditional varieties as Cabernet in the blend, and among the first red wines from the Chianti Classico area to be produced without white grapes.

The wine, originally called "Chianti Classico Riserva vigneto Tignanello" (a Chianti Classico Riserva from the Tignanello vineyard), was produced for the first time from a single vineyard parcel in 1970, when the blend contained 20% of Canaiolo and 5% of Trebbiano and Malvasia, both white grapes, and the wine aged in small oak barrels.

In 1971, it became a Tuscan red table wine rather than a Chianti Classico and was called Tignanello. In the 1975 vintage, the percentage of white grapes was definitively eliminated from the blend. Ever since 1982, the blend has been the one currently used. Tignanello is bottled only in favorable vintages, and was not produced in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1992, and 2002.

The 2016 Antinori Tignanello IGT is a remarkable wine that exemplifies the best of Italian winemaking. With a deep, rich red color, this wine is visually captivating, inviting you to explore its complex flavors and aromas. Crafted from a proprietary blend of grapes, including 80% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc, this wine showcases the artistry of the renowned Antinori winery.

Upon first opening the bottle, the enticing aromas of pine needles, rosemary, fresh mushrooms, bark, and dark fruit greet your senses. The nose is incredibly fragrant, drawing you in with its complexity and depth. As you take your first sip, the wine reveals an impeccable level of precision and laser-focus delivery of flavors. Ripe black currant, cherry, and violet dance on the palate, accompanied by notes of flint, tobacco, and baking spices.

The 2016 Tignanello is a wine that impresses with its structure and balance. It possesses a firm, dense matrix of tannins that provide a solid backbone, ensuring its aging potential. While already enjoyable now, this wine will continue to evolve and integrate over the years, rewarding those who are patient enough to cellar it.

Wine critics have unanimously praised this vintage. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive score of 97 points, stating that it is "at the top of the list of some of the best Tignanello ever made." Wine Spectator also awarded it 97 points, describing it as a "big, lush style" with a "lovely sweet, ripe finish." James Suckling awarded it 97 points, noting its wonderful aromas and tight, tannic backbone. Wine Enthusiast was even more generous, giving it a score of 99 points and calling it a "fragrant, savory red" with a balanced and elegant palate. Wine & Spirits awarded it 96 points, highlighting its vibrant and harmonious nature.

With an alcohol content of 14.0%, this wine is powerful yet refined. It is an ideal companion for a special occasion or a celebratory meal. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, the 2016 Antinori Tignanello IGT is a wine that will leave a lasting impression.