DOC(G): Bolgheri
Brunello di Montalcino
Chianti Classico
Orvieto Classico
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
About the Producer:
Where Sassicaia
opened the door for Italy, Piero Antinori, with the guidance of Giacomo
Tachis, set the wine world ablaze with the introduction of Tignanello
in 1971 and Solaia in 1978. The great winemaker believed it was wrong
to imitate a Bordeaux. He was convinced that Italy could make great
wines using its own noble varietals. This is the heart and soul of
Solaia.
Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Guild of Vintners
in 1385, beginning an enological legacy that has lasted over 26 generations.
Throughout the company's history, it has remained family-owned and
operated. Today, Marchese Piero Antinori directs the long-lived family
vision, and his three daughters participate in various activities
with the firm.
Through carefully planned investments and research programs, the firm
is devoted to improving the quality of its wines. One of Italy's most
dynamic and visionary producers of fine wines, with estates concentrated
in the finest and highly progressive viticultural areas of Toscana
and Umbria, Antinori has also played an important role in preserving
Italy's enological traditions. Marchese Piero Antinori summarizes
the family's core values by saying, "Age-old roots play an important
role in our philosophy, but they have not served to inhibit our innovative
spirit."
Solaia
Solaia endures as Italy's most prestigious blended wine and is the
flagship of her most celebrated producer. The golden child of Piero
Antinori and esteemed enologist Giacomo Tachis, whose magic touch
has graced Italy's most elite Super Tuscans (Sassicaia, Tignanello,
Sammarco, Argiano), the wine was born in 1978 as a blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and grew in 1982 to include Sangiovese.
The grapes used to make this "sunny one" are grown exclusively
in the eponymous vineyard, a highly desirable 10-hectare plot of land
on the Tignanello estate.
The 1978 debut was limited to its homeland, but once this life-changing
wine ventured out internationally, it enchanted wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Still produced only in the best vintages, Solaia was crowned the Wine
of the Year by Wine Spectator back in 2000 (for the 1997 vintage)
and has collected the prestigious Tre Bicchieri award from the Gambero
Rosso for eleven separate vintages.
Tignanello
Tenuta San Guido's Sassicaia may have ignited the revolution, but
Antinori's Tignanello set its course. Piero's goal was not to recreate
a Bordeaux-style wine, but to show the versatility and finesse that
the noble Sangiovese can deliver. The result was the second official
Super Tuscan, which featured this native varietal in the Cabernet-aided
blend. The first Sangiovese to be aged in small oak barrels and the
first modern red wine to include a non-traditional varietal, Tignanello
was also among the first wines in Chianti to be made without any white
grapes.
Influenced by the lead of Piero's uncle (the great Marchese Mario
Incisa della Rocchetta) and guided by Giacomo Tachis, Tignanello made
its grand entrance on the international stage in 1971 and has only
improved since. A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon,
and 5% Cabernet Franc, this Super Tuscan is made only in outstanding
vintages from the main vineyard of the Tignanello estate. The harvest
here is particularly late, and the grapes are handled very gently
to avoid damage. French oak is used for malolactic fermentation and
for a 14-month aging period, followed by another full year of aging
in bottle before release.
Guado al Tasso
It was only a matter of time before Antinori would find a home for
a red blend in Bolgheri. He is in good company here with both his
uncle's legendary Tenuta San Guido estate and his brother's Tenuta
dell'Ornellaia, which is still producing the most sought-after Merlot
(Masseto) in all of Italy.
Antinori's Guado al Tasso ("Badger's Crossing") estate dates
back to the 1930s, but it wasn't until the 1990 debut release of Guado
al Tasso that it became a center of activity. This blend is dominated
by Cabernet Sauvignon and rounded out by 30% Merlot and 10% Syrah,
resulting in a rich color and a delightful balance of structure and
softness on the palate.
Pian delle Vigne
Antinori's Brunello Pian delle Vigne is named for its vineyard of
provenance, which is named in turn for a 19th-century railroad station
that lies within the estate and is still in use today. This prime
location is planted with Sangiovese vines along with olive trees.
Looking out over the Orcia river valley in the southern part of Montalcino,
this vineyard was sold to Antinori in 1995, and he began producing
wine from it that same year. This Brunello spends three years in oak
casks of various sizes and an additional four months minimum in bottle
before release.
Italian
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for errors or omissions. Prices are subject to change
due to availability and issue date.
Producer:
Antinori
