Ratings & Tasting Notes:
92 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 03/2009
Pale brick colour. Dried plum aromas are complimented by subtle notes of leather, moss and a whiff of truffles. In spite of its age this wine still has some flesh on its structure with a good amount of earthy dried fruits supported with a low level of velvety tannins and medium to high acidity. Long, layered finish. (LPB)
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 1983 Tignanello is a landmark vintage for Marchesi Antinori, often cited by the estate as the beginning of the “modern era” for this iconic Super Tuscan. This vintage saw a shift toward a more refined, elegant style, characterized by a lighter touch with oak and a focus on the vibrancy of the Sangiovese fruit. The blend follows the estate’s pioneering formula of approximately 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged for roughly 12 to 14 months in a mix of French and Hungarian oak barriques. Harvested after a warm, balanced growing season that provided ideal conditions for late-ripening varieties, the 1983 release helped cement Tignanello’s reputation as a “rebel” wine that broke Chianti Classico traditions by omitting white grapes and embracing international varieties.
Now in its fifth decade, the 1983 Tignanello has evolved into a complex, tertiary masterpiece. It presents a pale brick or medium-ruby color with a garnet edge, giving way to a sophisticated bouquet of dried plums, leather, tobacco, and earthy notes of moss and truffles. On the palate, the wine retains a surprising amount of structure and “flesh,” balanced by medium-to-high acidity and velvety, fully integrated tannins. While many bottles are currently at their peak, well-preserved examples continue to show remarkable persistence with lingering flavors of cedar, incense, and dried red cherries. It remains a quintessential example of how the original Super Tuscans can age with grace and intellectual depth.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition, as shown.
