Two bottles of the historic Tignanello 1971 vintage were sold for impressive prices at a recent auction held by Christie’s in London. These wines, sourced directly from the estate in Tuscany, went for £813 and £750 each, far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of £300 to £500 per bottle. This auction was particularly special as it marked the 50th anniversary of the wine, which was first released in 1974.
Tignanello is recognized as a pioneer of the SuperTuscan category, crafted from Sangiovese grapes along with small amounts of other classic Bordeaux varieties. This innovative approach deviated from the traditional Chianti Classico regulations and has led Tignanello to become a significant player in the world of fine wines.
The auction featured nearly every vintage of Tignanello, and other highlights included:
- Tignanello 1978 and 1979 bottles, which also fetched £813 each.
- Nine magnums spanning a decade (2000-2009) sold for £5,250.
- Three double magnums of Tignanello 1999-2001 sold for £5,000.
- A 225-litre barrel of Tignanello 2024, expected to be released in 2027, sold for £47,000.
Additionally, a lot featuring the current-release Tignanello 2021 vintage, paired with a lavish private jet trip to the estate, was sold for £21,250.
Marchese Piero Antinori expressed deep sentimental value for Tignanello, calling it a milestone in Tuscan winemaking that significantly contributed to the modern Renaissance of Italian wine. Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchesi Antinori, highlighted Tignanello’s evolution, which included vineyard replanting in the 1990s and stylistic shifts in the 2000s towards a more refined profile.
The auction season is bustling, with Christie’s hosting various sales, including the ‘Skigaarden’ collection from Norway and a rare Cognac and vintage Port auction. Sotheby’s also plans to offer a series featuring wines from collector Pierre Chen soon.
For further exploration of Tignanello, check out related articles on Tuscany and SuperTuscans.