Antinori - Tignanello 2006

DECANTER: "Pioneered by Giacomo Tachis in the late 1970s, this wine burst onto the international fine wine scene with dazzling effect. A single-vineyard wine from the Chianti Classico zone, it was among the first to include Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the blend, and barriques for ageing. As a consequence, it had to be labelled as Vino da Tavola It isn’t made in every vintage, so when it’s good, it’s very good. This 2006, from Spurrier's own cellar, is just such a wine, with unyielding colour right to the rim. The sweet nose has a singed tobacco note. On the palate it's full of sweet, juicy cassis and plum with a layer of cedar and earthy sous-bois. Dry, rich and elegantly full, the 2006 has grip, texture and volume in spades, followed by a gorgeously long finish."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Thanks to its excellent quality and universal appeal, you can count on Tignanello to make an excellent impression with any elegant meal. Based on Sangiovese, with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine delivers an interesting power play that pits cherry fruit against vibrant spice. It is tight and firm in the mouth with a slightly sweet or soft note on the close."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2006 Tignanello is especially opulent in this vintage. Masses of dark red fruit, scorched earth and sweet oak emerge as this richly-textured Tignanello flows from the glass. The wine possesses superb density; all it needs is another few years to come together. Today it is remarkably vibrant and primary. Tignanello is 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe. Tabakig unterlegte reife Kirschenfrucht, rote Waldbeeren, würzig. Stoffig, feine Bitterschokonote, rassiges Säurespiel, typischer Sangiovese-Touch, knackiger Speisenbegleiter."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Still rigid and dense, this is packed with plum, cherry, leather and licorice flavors. Structured and on the austere side in the end, bolstered by firm tannins. -- Non-blind Tignanello vertical (October 2019). Best from 2022 through 2037. 29,165 cases made."