Antinori
Tignanello
Toscana IGT
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Sangiovese-Cabernet
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2026-2032).
In 2026, the 2019 Tignanello is in the middle of its peak drinking window. After seven years of development, the medium tannins, medium-high acidity, and concentrated fruit have reached optimal integration. Open it now with 45 to 60 minutes of decanting and the wine drinks as a complete and harmonious glass: structural elements working in concert rather than competing for attention. The blend's Sangiovese signature (cherry, iron, tobacco) is on full display, with the Cabernet structure providing the spine. Hold or drink. The peak runs cleanly through 2032 and the wine will continue showing well for several years after.
Related vintages
- 2020Giovanni Neri
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · Peak 2030-2042
- 2019Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG · Peak 2030-2045
- 2019Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie
Brunello di Montalcino · Peak 2035-2048
- 2021Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Montalcino, Tuscany · Peak 2033-2048
- 2020I Sodi di San Niccolò
Toscana IGT · Peak 2029-2040
The ‘19 Tignanello.
The Super Tuscan that defined the category, in one of its finest recent vintages. WA 96, WS 96, and a 2022 Top 100 placement.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Bright ruby with a slow-receding rim, brilliant in the glass. The nose lifts with cherry, black currant, violet, and a streak of iron-flecked minerality, layered over tobacco, dried herb, and a savory Sangiovese signature. With air, polished oak emerges as a frame rather than a flavor. The palate is fluid and medium-bodied, structured rather than weighty: medium tannins that have polished from their younger grip, medium-high acidity running the length of the wine, and a long mid-palate carrying the Sangiovese fruit core forward. The Cabernet adds depth and grip without dominating. The finish is long, mineral, and notably dry, with a final note of bay and iron.
The 2019 vintage
2019 in central Tuscany, including the Chianti and Chianti Classico zones around Tignanello's home estate, was rated 95 (Classic) by Wine Spectator. More rain in May and July than on the coast resulted in fresh, balanced reds with finesse and the structure to age. The vintage gave Tignanello its 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc blend exceptional balance. Maceration times were trimmed to polish the tannins, and the wine was rewarded with 96 points each from Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator and a #5 placement in Wine Spectator's 2022 Top 100. Among the finest Tignanellos in recent memory, and a wine that captures the vintage's freshness rather than overwhelming it.
About Antinori
Tignanello is the wine that effectively created the Super Tuscan category. First produced in 1971 by Marchesi Antinori, it broke from the strict Chianti Classico DOC rules of the day by blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, aging the wine in French barrique, and bottling it as a Toscana table wine outside the regional appellation. The Antinori family has been making wine in Tuscany for over six centuries; Tignanello sits as the flagship of the Bordeaux-influenced wing of their portfolio, with Solaia as its more Cabernet-forward sibling. A reference point for the modern Tuscan style.
From the cellar: pair with
Bistecca alla Fiorentina, rare
The classical Tuscan pairing: the wine''s acidity and mineral spine cut through the fat of a rare-grilled steak, and the Sangiovese signature finds the char of the bone.
Wild boar ragu with pappardelle
Slow-braised game and Sangiovese are an inevitable match; the wine''s tobacco and iron notes weave directly into the sauce''s depth.
Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffled honey
The salty, crystalline cheese and earthy truffle echo the wine''s mineral and savory notes; honey rounds the wine''s firm acidity.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting
- 45 to 60 minutes if opening in 2026. By 2030, 30 to 45 minutes is sufficient.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C) with 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Toscana
Frequently Asked
Is 2019 Tignanello ready to drink?
Yes. The wine is in the middle of its peak window in 2026, with optimal integration between tannins, acidity, and concentrated fruit. Open it now with 45 to 60 minutes of decanting. The peak runs through 2032.
How long will 2019 Tignanello age?
Top Tignanellos from structured vintages routinely age 18 to 22 years. The 2019 has the acid and tannin spine to match. Expect peak drinking through 2032, with a graceful decline through approximately 2038.
Why is Tignanello significant?
Tignanello, first produced in 1971, is the wine that effectively created the Super Tuscan category. It broke from Chianti Classico DOC rules of the day by blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, aging the wine in French barrique, and bottling outside the regional appellation. It became the template for the modern Tuscan style.
What is the blend in 2019 Tignanello?
80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, sourced from the estate''s vineyard at Tenuta Tignanello in Chianti Classico. The blend is consistent across vintages with small adjustments based on growing conditions.
Should I decant 2019 Tignanello?
Yes, 45 to 60 minutes in 2026. The wine is open and integrated but benefits from air to reveal the secondary aromatics. By 2030, 30 to 45 minutes is sufficient.