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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 Antinori's Tignanello Estate 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.

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 del 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 m 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 del Tasso and Scalabrone, as well as a 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:

Peppoli Estate: Not far north-east of Tignanello, the source of Peppoli Chianti Classico.
Monteloro Estate: North of Florence, planted up with indigenous varieties and Chardonnay, source of the Villa Antinori Bianco and Capsula Viola whites.
Fattoria Aldobrandesca: An Etruscan site, source of Aleatico.
La Braccesca: A site near the Umbrian border in southern Tuscany where Antinori produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano, as well as the Syrah Bramasole.
Plan del Vigne: Source of Antinori's Brunello di Montalcino.
Castello della Sala: Source of the Chardonnay dominated blend, Cervaro della Sala and Muffato della Sala, as well as Orvieto Classico. (12/5/04)

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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2001

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

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 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) Label

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) Label

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) Label

1997

Antinori Chianti Classico 'Peppoli' 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. Ready now. 15/20 (June 2004)

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) Label

1990

Villa 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)