Tignanello 1981, Marchese Antinori

Name: Tignanello 1981, Marchese Antinori - Le Roux Vins
Brand: 0.75 L
SKU: VEVRMAT1981
Price: 235.00 CHF
Availability: InStock

CHF 235.00

Tignanello 1981, Marchese Antinori – This is a piece of liquid history from the estate that changed Italian wine forever. Tignanello was the revolutionary “Super Tuscan” that broke all the rules—the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques and the first to be blended with Cabernet. The 1981 vintage was a cooler, more difficult year in Tuscany, meaning this wine is not a powerhouse of fruit, but a lean, intellectual study in survival and evolution. Now fully mature (and perhaps past its peak for some palates), it offers a rare glimpse into the past.

What’s it Like?

This is a wine for the senses of a historian. In the glass, it shows a brick-orange, garnet color typical of its age. The nose is entirely tertiary: expect aromas of dried autumn leaves, worn leather, pipe tobacco, porcini mushrooms, and a faint whisper of dried cranberry or sour cherry. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with high, unresolved acidity—a hallmark of the 1981 vintage—and fully resolved, dusty tannins. It is delicate, savory, and fleeting.

Perfect For

Completing a vertical collection for a serious Tignanello fan, or for an intellectual tasting where the conversation is about history and the evolution of wine, rather than pure hedonistic pleasure.

The Pros Agree…

Critics view the 1981 as a testament to Antinori’s skill in a tough year. It was never a blockbuster, but rather a wine of “nervous elegance.” Reviews from recent tastings highlight its “savory, earthy character” and note that while the fruit has faded, the “aristocratic structure” remains standing.

What is it? The legendary Super Tuscan that started the revolution.
From? Chianti Classico zone (Tuscany), Italy.
Grapes? Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.
Tastes Like? Leather, tobacco, dried leaves, dried cranberry, and earth.

1 in stock

SKU: VEVRMAT1981 Categories: 0.75 L, Cabernet franc, Marchese Antinori, Red, Red Wines, Sangiovese, Tuscany

Tignanello 1981, Marchese Antinori

Marchese Antinori – Six Centuries of Tuscan Nobility in a Bottle

The Antinori family has been synonymous with Italian wine excellence for over 26 generations, with roots tracing back to 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. Today, the Marchesi Antinori estate remains one of the oldest and most prestigious family-owned wineries in the world, celebrated for its pioneering spirit and deep connection to Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region.

At the heart of the Antinori legacy is a profound respect for tradition, balanced with a drive for innovation. The family was among the first to experiment with non-native grape varieties and modern winemaking techniques in Tuscany—ultimately helping to define the Super Tuscan movement. Yet, it is their devotion to Chianti Classico that continues to shine as a timeless symbol of quality and elegance.

Marchese Antinori – Chianti Classico Riserva

Crafted from grapes grown on the Tignanello estate, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, the Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is a sophisticated and refined expression of Tuscan terroir. This wine represents the Antinori family’s commitment to preserving the identity of Sangiovese, the region’s noble grape, while elevating it with meticulous vineyard selection and aging techniques.

The blend is typically composed of 90% Sangiovese, with small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, depending on the vintage. It undergoes fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in French and Hungarian oak barrels for about a year, and additional bottle refinement before release.

The result is a wine that offers aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe cherries, blackberries, spices, leather, and subtle tobacco. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and silky, with well-integrated tannins and a long, elegant finish—a perfect balance between structure and finesse, tradition and modernity.

A Pillar of Chianti Classico

Produced on the historic Tignanello estate in the Chianti Classico heartland
Estate-grown Sangiovese enhanced by international varietals
Aged in oak for richness and aging potential
A benchmark Riserva for those seeking authenticity, elegance, and depth

Whether enjoyed young for its vibrant fruit or cellared for further evolution, Marchese Antinori’s Chianti Classico Riserva captures the essence of Tuscan winemaking at its finest.