Antinori - 26 Generations in the Wine Business

The Antinori family has been making wine in Italy for over six hundred years. They are perhaps the oldest family business in the world. Certainly in Europe.

I recently had an opportunity to taste the current lineup from Antinori and have some impressions and recommendations.

Overall Impressions

There are no bad wines here. You wouldn't last this long in the wine business, if you couldn't produce good wine. However on the low end, they kept sneaking some Merlot into the Tuscan blends and that makes them seem quite "New Worldy."

Recommended

Antinori 2003 Solaia ($282.99 OH Retail)

Wow! This Cabernet Sauvignon-based Super-Tuscan is stunning. From the sunniest 10 hectares of the Tignanello hill in Tuscany, this wine was rich and long-lasting, but very complex. It showed none of the 'over-ripeness' common in the scorching 2003 vintage. We did, however, commit 'infanticide' with this bottle. I'd recommend hiding it in the deepest, darkest reached of your cellar. You wouldn't want to be tempted to drink this too soon. And you would sooo be tempted.

Antinori 2005 Tignanello ($98.99 OH Retail)

"Tig" is a historic wine. 1st Sangiovese aged in barriques. 1st blended with non-traditional grape varieties. 1st Chianti region red not to use any white wine grapes. And yet, for all its 'first' this is a wine that tastes refreshingly traditional. Imagine blending the best characteristics of Brunellos and Chiantis. Delicate Sangiovese 'rose petals' and Tuscany tobacco, leather, and earth. Well worth the money for any Italian wine fan.

Santa Cristina 2006 Pinot Grigio ($16.99)

So much Pinot Grigio is 'yawn-worthy' that it is truly exciting when you find a good one. Santa Cristina, Antinori's value brand, has definitely found the secret. Sicily. Sourcing from a warmer climate gives this wine the tastes and aromas of, well, wine. I actually said, "Hey this smells like wine." Delicious Pinot Grigio if you are ready to taste it.

Have you had these wines?

What you think of Antinori?

Let me know in the comments.